On 13 April, a former brigade commander of Shan State National Army (SSNA) died from high blood pressure in Lashio, northern Shan State according to local sources. Lieutenant-Colonel Kanna, 54, passed away in his home at 12th quarter, Kholawng village, Lashio township, at 08:00. He was buried on the same day as his death coincided with the holy Thingyan (Songkran) day.
The family held a memorial service yesterday, 17 April, said a close relative.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kanna
"He was known for both good things and bad things he had done. To his credit, while he was alive, he did not forget our culture. He always led people to celebrate the Shan New Year. Thousands of people participated including famous Shan singers," said a local source.
Kanna, a native of Namkham, joined the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in 1980, and was active in Kutkhai, Hsenwi, Muse and Namkham as a captain in the 4th Brigade. After the 4th Brigade concluded a ceasefire with Burmese military and changed its name to Kachin Defense Army (KDA) in 1989, he joined the Mong Tai Army (MTA) of Khun Sa, when his troops extended operations to northern Shan State in 1994.
In 1995, when Colonel Gunyawd split away from the MTA to form the SSNA, he served as the 11th Brigade Commander in Hsenwi and Lashio.
In April 2005, he led some 300 strong men to surrender to Burmese military. He was reportedly forced to surrender, an event which prompted the SSNA, led by Gunyawd's successor Col Sai Yi, to return to the armed struggle and merge with the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South of Col Yawd Serk.
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