Thura Shwe Mann to arrive in Chin State on Sunday

14 November 2013: Thura Shwe Mann, Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, will travel to Chin State on Sunday, 17 November after spending one day in Kalaymyo of Sagaing Region.

The 66-year-old ex-Chief of Staff of the Burma Armed Forces is scheduled to make a short stop in Tedim in the morning and to arrive in Hakha in the afternoon.

A source close to the government of Chin State said that his arrival date had been confirmed but detailed information about his programme remained unavailable.

Like some of Burma’s other senior leaders including President Thein Sein who visited the country’s least developed state earlier this year, he is expected to meet with authorities at a military base in Tedim.

A community leader from Hakha said: “We are glad that our country’s leaders visit us but why does it have to be on Sunday? They must be aware that we are Christian.”

“As he will enter Chin State on Sunday, it will disrupt church services and local leaders would not be able to go to church as preparations will have to be made,” complained the leader.

During his stay in Kalaymyo bordering Chin State, according to the Voice news, Mr. Speaker would meet with government officials, town-elders, and leaders of political parties and civil society groups.

It said that he would also make a visit to Buddhist pagodas and monasteries in Kalaymyo.

The former military General is scheduled to leave Chin State on Monday.

Sources said that he is the right-hand man of Senior General Than Shwe and that he was implicated in human rights violations during the operations against KNU (Karen National Union) in 1989.#