New Mon State Party pursues peace in southern Mon State

July 15, 2015

An anonymous source from the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the predominant Mon armed group, has stated that peace can be attained in southern Ye and northern Yepyu Townships, located in southern Mon State, if local people cooperate with the NMSP’s efforts to rid the area of rebel armed insurgent groups. This news follows reports last week that the NMSP shot dead the leader of a key rebel group active in these areas.

On the morning of 7 July, and with the help of local informants, members of the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), the NMSP’s armed wing, arrested and shot dead Nai Chan Dein, leader of the Monland Restoration Army. Subsequently, the NMSP seized weapons, ammunition, drugs and other illicit materials from the group.

Nai Chan Dein’s rebel group was active in southern Mon State for the past 15 years. However, according to an NMSP member who wishes to remain anonymous, the group had not been working in line with the goals suggested by their name, instead troubling local residents with frequent robberies and kidnappings.

Locals have raised rumors that Nai Chan Dein’s group may have somehow gained the support of locally based Burmese army Light Infantry Battalion No. 299, who over the years failed to take any action against the rebel group’s activities. According to Nai Aye, a resident from Koe Mile Village, “Light Infantry Battalion No. 299 is based near to us. Chan Dein’s group is active in our area, in Koe Mile, Kalae and Han Gan villages. So why didn’t the military Light Infantry Battalion No. 299 get rid of them?”.

Nai Aye continued, “Now, the NMSP has eliminated the group, but there are still other groups left out there. As plantations farmers, we need to be very careful while we work”. Talking to HURFOM, an anonymous NMSP source has stated that, while other rebel armed groups remain active in the area, the NMSP will eliminate these groups soon if local residents cooperate with them.

However, residents have raised concerns that the NMSP’s campaign against rebel armed groups in southern Mon State may prove counterproductive, exacerbating dangers instead of guaranteeing peace. Nai Mrak Wai, 54 years old, commented, “We are very worried about Chan Mon’s group, another armed rebel group which has cooperated with Chan Dein’s group. After Chan Dein’s death, Chan Mon’s group might revolt against us. Although the NMSP is working to protect us, we need to be very careful when we work on our farms, plantations and gardens”.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News