The killing of ethnic Pa’O civilians by Shan soldiers spurs a community to seek justice.

Thousands of Pa’O, an ethnic group in Myanmar, protested in the capital of Shan State after civilians were killed by Shan soldiers.

Soldiers from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) killed five civilians on December 11. One of the victims was a headman.

“We staged a protest because we want justice for the victims and security in the area,” said Khun Zaw, director of Ethnic Minority Democracy Organization.

RCSS/SSA spokesperson Maj. Sai Oo said: “We have to investigate this case for the truth…They haven’t publicly said the real story.”

About twenty civilians armed with sticks and knives attacked nine of his soldiers while they passed through the village, according to Sai Oo. After two soldiers were seriously injured, they fired back, killing five people and injuring three.

“The problem is they tried to take the weapons away from our soldiers. They attacked with knives. Then the soldiers shot at them for self-defense. Our soldiers didn’t shoot at them without a reason,” Sai Oo said.

Nobody from the Pa’O community attempted to contact the RCSS/SSA before releasing a statement about this incidence, he said.

“We would like to discuss with them for how to solve this problem. They haven’t agreed to discuss with us,” Sai Oo told SHAN.

The authorities must solve this problem and protect civilians from extrajudicial killing, Khun Zaw said.

Many civilians have been killed in the various armed conflicts in Shan and Kachin states.

A petition letter from the Pa’O community will be sent to President Win Myint and the chief minister of Shan State.