CNI News
14 Jan 2023
The Shanni National Army has been the victim of intentional defamation by groups which have been trying to tarnish the image of the SNA, Spokesperson Lt-Gen Sai Aung Mein of the SNA told the CNI.
It is completely wrong that the SNA detained about 100 villagers from Namtnan Village in Homalin Township and the false news has been spread by the groups in cooperation with each other.
He told the CNI, "It was just an intentional effort to tarnish the image of the SNA by other groups. The villagers are our people and members of our ethnic group working for their living in our region. We will never detain such people. It is impossible to detain about 100 people. It is just an intentional attempt to tarnish the image of our organization."
A filling station in Namtnan Village.
An armed conflict erupted between the SNA and PDFs based in Homalin on 5th January.
The CNI is still trying to request comments about the conflict from the PDFs based in Homalin.
A Namtnan village resident told the CNI that it was not true that the SNA detained about 100 villagers and fighting broke out because the PDFs attacked the SNA while the latter was asking about 100 shopkeepers for information.
He said, "While about 100 local residents who are shopkeepers were taken for questioning, the fighting erupted because the PDF attacked the SNA. Everyone had to flee."
Troops of HPDF-124 in Homalin Township.
An SNA commander told the CNI that his troops will fight against any organization that bullies the people of the ethnic Shanni.
He said, "We will not allow armed bullying of any organizations in places where Shanni people have been living for eons. It is very simple. We are not an ethnic group that has settled in the place recently. We will ward off anyone who bully our people. We will ward off anyone who exploits our state. Our army has been founded to protect our people. We are determined to protect our people."
The SNA is active in Hkamti, Homalin, Phaungpyin, Pinlabu, Wuntho, Bamauk in Sagaing Region, at the Indo-Myanmar border and Mohyin and Mokaung in Kachin State.
The SNA is trying to establish Shanni State by combining Mawlike District, Kalay District, Hkamti District, Katha District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohyin District and Mokaung in Kachin State.
