The Mon leaders aspired to obtain Mon State. They continued to petition the AFPFL government for the establishment of Mon State.
On January 28, 1954, a meeting of prominent Mon leaders was held at U Thar Nhyin’s Dhamma Hall in the Pan Pa Tan quarter of Mawlamyine.
At this meeting, it was unanimously resolved to submit a formal request to the Prime Minister.
To present these demands, a Mon delegation was formed, consisting of U Tun Win, U Ohn Maung, Nai Hla Maung, and Mon Sein Dine, and sent to Rangoon.
The delegation met with Prime Minister U Nu twice — on February 18 and February 22 — and presented the proposals made by the Mon Conference along with other Mon-related matters.
In response, the Prime Minister entrusted Karen leader Mann Win Maung with the responsibility of considering the issue seriously. He also informed the Mon leaders that the matter had been referred to the AFPFL Central Executive Committee.
During the same period when Prime Minister U Nu was meeting with the Mon leaders, the Parliament had already enacted legislation to extend the Karen State by including the districts of Hpa-an, Hlaingbwe, Kawkareik, Kyain Seikgyi, and Thandaung, which are part of Thanlwin District.
Since many Mon villages were located in these regions, U Chit Hlaing, a Mon leader, strongly objected during the motion to approve the draft law in Parliament.
Some Mon leaders viewed the AFPFL government as being uncooperative and firmly opposed to granting any further statehood, despite their efforts to secure a Mon State.
Photos:
1. Prime Minister U Nu
2. AFPFL government (1952–55) — Prime Minister U Nu and his cabinet members
3. Mon leader U Chit Hlaing
Source:
Myanmar Political History Vol. 3 (1958–62), Yangon University Press, 1991, pp. 258–332.
