13.08.2006
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THE HONEYMOON IS OVER
_ by Saokhur Lawdleaw
There is always risk with a marriage of convenience.
When the first marriage between Sao Pansing and the gorgeous Khin May San San took place on the fateful evening of 10th February 1947, the United Hills Peoples hailed it as the marriage of the century.
Promises of bright future reverberated around the Universe that the bondage was to aimed to last "until death do us part".
The wedding ceremony was auspiciously chosen and witnessed by many including Her Majesty the Queens representatives led by Lord Arthur Bottomley of the British Empire.
Khin May San San looked so beautiful and yet full of power and an overwhelming aura that literally lit the night sky of the Panglong village, in free Shan State for the first time in Shan history.
The air of exuberance and confidence marked the evening as Her Majesty's the UNION JACK came down the flag pole paving the way for the Tai/Shan's tri-colour flag.
Sao Pansing watched gloriously as his Secretary Hkun Sang Sam raised the flag to the top of the mast flapping in unison with the wind. The United Hills Peoples were equally stirred with deep emotions of the romantic UNION.
Sao Shwe Thaike and Sao Sam Htoon, the best men of the groom were totally relaxed with over joy and subconsciously never thought of any untoward future.
The marriage could have been hardly consummated in the next six months. For, on July 19, 1947 no one would have thought all the vows and powerful promises of the marriage of the century suddenly evaporated into the thin air.
The United Hills Peoples were completely devastated at the news of the first killing field. The beautiful bride and the groom's best man Sao Sam Htoon were among six close friends riddled with bullets, all dead. It was the end of the "FIRST HONEYMOON".
Not to be deterred by the brutal murder of Sao Sam Htun, Sai Moung Zern picked up from where his Great Uncle and MARTYR left out. The Second Honeymoon with his second gorgeous Mae Bama Thein Thein took place on June 19th 2006, nearly half a century later.
But this time our prodigious son Sai Moung Zern escaped the ongoing killing field, yet unharmed, but for how long?
Let us all pray for his safety on behalf of the UNITED HILL PEOPLES again.
LONG LIVE ALL FREEDOM FIGHTERS.
Saokhur Lawdleaw
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Note: The main characters chosen in this article need to be clarified as follows: _
Sao Pang Seng –
Represented Shan leaders and Elders who were signatories to the 1947 Panglong Treaty and the United Hills Peoples (SCOUHP). In real life Sao Pan Sing is the Saophalong (Prince) of Taungpeng State ( Sawbwa in Burmese). In real life Sao Pan Sing was also the Chairman of the Shan State Council, until April 29th, 1959. Despite claims to the contrary, the Shan Saophas relinquished their power back to the Shan People, and not to the Burmese government, to show solidarity and sincerity with the Spirit of the 1947 Panglong Treaty.
Khin May San San -
Group Leader (s) representing Burma.
Lord Arthur Bottomley -
Labor MP for Chatham Division of Rochester (1945-1950);
Parliamentary Under Secretary for State for the Dominions (1947-1957), see also Memoirs of Burma by the same author, c. 1945-1947. Other members of the delegation were John Leyden and Bernard Ledwidge. On 11th February, 1947, Mr. Bottomley met with the Members of SCOUHP and said:” The Unification of the Frontier States was supposed to be temporary before independence”.
Hkun Sarng Sam -
In real life called Hkun Sarng Sam, the Secretary of Shan State Council, who raised the Shan flag following the lowering of the Union Jack. Khun Sarng Sam was a graduate in BA LLB, the first Tai lawyer in Shan State.
Sao Shwe Thaike -
In real life Sao ShweThaike was the Saophalong of Yawngwhe, who became the First President of the Union of Burma. But later on Ne Win’s military government disputed this. He became the House Speaker of the Chamber of Nationalities of the bicameral Union government. Sao Shwe Thaike was also the founding member and Chairman of the Shan Tri-Pitaka in the Shan Sangha Buddhist Council. He died during his custody in Insein jail mysteriously. Of the 125 seats of the Chamber of Nationalities, Shan State was represented by 25 seats, Kachin (12 seats), Special Division of the Chins ( 8), Karreni State (3), Karen State (24)and the remaining territories of the UNION ( 53). Provisions of New States and Territories such as the Mon and the Rakine were still in their embryonic state then.
Sao Sam Htun -
In real life Saophalong of Mong Pawn Sao Sam Htun who was assassinated with General Aung San on July 19, 1947. He died mysteriously after he was superficially wounded during the assassination. He became a Shan Martyr. Sao Sam Htun was a member of the FACE ( Frontier Areas Committee of Enquiry) led by Col. Rees Williams ( later Lord Ogmore). It was Sao Sam Htun who was assertive and determined in ensuring the inclusion of the highly contentious issue the Right of Secession Clause for Shan State in the Union Constitution. Some political analysts believe this is the root cause of the on-going ethnic crisis in Burma today.
May Bama Thein Thein -
SPDC Officials led by Commander of the Eastern Command Brig. Gen. Thaung Aye, who oversaw the surrender of SSA Central Commander Col. Moung Zern.
Sao Moung Zern -
In real life, Cmd. Col. Moung Zern was given the status of leader of the militia as a deal for his surrender. However, the SPDC refused to honour their agreement by forcing Col Moung Zern to surrender his arms completely. Now he is welcome back by many Shan freedom fighters as a prodigious son of Shan people.
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