Aborted Coup Leaders of a Ceasefire Group Executed

Aborted Coup Leaders of a Ceasefire Group Executed 

SNA, S.H.A.N.'s source in Eastern Shan State, reported that an attempted coup in a ceasefire group was foiled and its leaders executed early this month. 

According to SNA, Vice President Khammaw and Hsiao-jiu, commander of Brigade 911, from Eastern Shan State Army of Sai Lin a.k.a Sai Leun, better known as Lin Mingxien, whose headquarters is in Mongla, a border town north-east of Kengtung, were executed on 1 October. They were found to be guilty of conspiring a coup against Lin, whose group, formerly the Communist Party of Burma's "815 War Zone", made a ceasefire agreement with Rangoon in 1989 along with other ex-CPB groups. 

Kham-maw, of Akha origin, and his co-conspirator, had planned to take over on 28 August, said SNA. But 5 days before the plan materialized, there was a leak which finally led to their execution. 

15 others, most of them company and battalion commanders, are also being held in Mongla prison, reported SNA. 

"Lin has appointed his brother, Sai Toon Awng, and Sao Oon-Kham, a descendent of Kengkhwang Princely House, provisionally as Commander and Deputy Commander of the brigade", said SNA. 

The ESSA, or Special Region No: 4 to the SPDC, has three brigades, he added: 369, 911 and 815. 

Lin Mingxian is reported to enjoy immense prestige among junta circles, but has been blacklisted by the United States as a drug lord.