Rival Shan groups pressed to resolve issues to end fighting in northern Shan Shan.

The Committee of Shan State Unity (CSSU) requested for rival Shan armed groups to meet to seek an immediate solution to settle differences in Shan State.

“I don’t want the two Shan forces to fight each other. If clashes occur, there will be causalities on both sides, as well as for civilians,” said U Sai Aik Pao, rotational chairperson for CSSU.

The Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) and Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) have been fighting in northern Shan state since last November. Consequently, civilians have been killed or injured, and thousands forced to flee from their villages.

Sai Aik Pao said three letters, urging the Shan armed groups to end the fighting, have already been sent.

In the past, the clashes weren’t intense, but now they are, he said, and this is troubling for civilians.

The SSPP hasn’t replied to the letters but the RCSS answered and ready to meet for talks said Sai Aik Pao. RCSS/SSA and SSPP/SSA should meet to fulfil the wishes of Shan people.

Clashes between RCSS/SSA and SSPP/SSA uprooted over a thousand people in Hsipaw township in December.

“I want the two Shan forces to merge, as well as the two Shan political parties to merge while I’m the chairperson of CSSU. Our party also wants to merge,” Sai Aik Pao told SHAN.