Letters urging that ceasefire groups be disarmed have been distributed by an unknown group in Shan State early this month, according to residents.

The letters distributed in markets in Tantyam Township in northern Shan State said "No more arms. We want peace. It has been 15 years since there was ceasefire between armed groups and the Tatmadaw. Now they need to give up their arms".

The timing of the letters distributed in the area controlled by the Shan State Army (North), and the ethnic Shan group which has a ceasefire agreement with the military junta, coincided with the meeting of the SSA (North)'s central committee, according to a SSA source.

Moreover, the letters were distributed in an area close to the Pansang headquarter of the United Wa State Army or UWSA.

Military observers in China-Burma border believe that the military junta is masterminding the distribution of the letters and testing the ceasefire groups.

The military junta is preparing to reconvene the National Convention, the constitution drafting process, which is scheduled to conclude this year.

Meanwhile, more troops of the Burma Army have been stationed in Kachin ceasefire group controlled areas and arms and ammunition is being supplied to pro-junta local militias.