Shanni nationals demand official recognition
Yangon - Thousands of people protested yesterday morning in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region, demanding official recognition of the Shanni ethnic group and the creation of its own state.
The Tai-Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) submitted a proposal to officially recognise the Shanni race and form its own state at the 21st Century Panglong Conference in Nay Pyi Taw on August 31.
“Shanni nationals do not get the same rights as other races. Moreover, the Shanni people living in Kachin State are recognised as non-Kachin nationals. Likewise, other Shanni nationals across the country are categorized only as Shan-Bamar nationals. Later, they were designated only as Bamar nationals. On their identity cards, their race is described only as Bamar. Therefore, we urge the government to create a Shanni national registration code number and to officially add the Shanni race to the 135 national races,” said Sai Hlaing Nyein from the Shanni Literature and Culture Association in Homalin Township.
Likewise, Nan Myint Myint Aung from the Shanni Youth Network spoke at the protest demanding a state for the Shanni people.
The protesters chanted slogans such as: “Official recognition of the Shanni race and its own state”, “Create a federalist, democratic Union” and “The Union Peace must succeed”.
About 30,000 Shanni nationals from Mohnyin Township in Kachin State and Bamauk, Kani, Pinlebu, Tamu, Paungpyin and Homalin townships in Sagaing Region participated in the protest.
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