The Pa'O Self-Administered Zone (; ''paaow kopine aotehkyaote hkwng r days'') also abbreviated as Pa'O SAZ, as stipulated by the
2008 Constitution of Myanmar, is a
self-administered zone consisting of three townships in
Shan State
Shan State (, ; , ) is a administrative divisions of Myanmar, state of Myanmar. Shan State borders China (Yunnan) to the north, Laos (Louang Namtha Province, Louang Namtha and Bokeo Provinces) to the east, and Thailand (Chiang Rai Province, Chia ...
.
History
Pa'O SAZ's official name was announced by decree on 20 August 2010.
In the wake of the
2021 Myanmar coup d'état and ensuing
civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...
,
Pa'O youths, like many throughout the country, formed and joined resistance forces like the Pa-O National Defence Force, in opposition to military rule.
On 24 February 2023, fighting began in Pinlaung Township, forcing more than 5,000 villagers to flee, including most villagers from Namneng. On 11 March 2023, the village of
Namneng became the site of the
Pinlaung massacre, during which
Myanmar Army troops killed at least 30 civilians, including 3
Buddhist monks.
Government and politics
The zone is currently under the ''de facto'' control of the
Pa-O National Organisation.
Administrative divisions
The Zone is divided into three townships-
Hopong Township,
Hsi Hseng Township and
Pinlaung Township.
References
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Self-administered zones of Myanmar
Subdivisions of Myanmar