Villagers forced pay for People’s Militia Forces in Thanbyuzayat Township

October 3, 2008

HURFOM : Local residents in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, are being forced to pay the expenses of militia forces recently recruited by the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC).

The new round of “taxation” began after significant numbers of the Township People’s Militia Force resigned and replacements had to be found and paid for. The militia is headed by U Maung Gyi, 49, who demanded payments from residents of Wagaru and Taung Phalu villages.

“Most militia members resigned in the last few months. At the moment, there are about twelve militia members in this village. Every household is ordered to give 1,500 kyat for their general expenses including food, uniform and salary. This payment does not include the 500 kyat monthly village security fee, which we already had to pay,” reported Nai Wee, 25, a resident of Taung Phalu village.

According to another villager, the new troops are currently being trained by Infantry Battalion No. 62, based nearby. “They had to go and join the basic military training last month. I haven’t seen any of them with ranks, arms or uniforms yet. I think they will be assigned everything after finishing basic training.”

New recruits have also been added to the People’s Militia Force in nearby Wargaru, also under the direction of U Maung Gyi. Wagaru is home to an estimated seven hundred households, and each has to make a monthly payment of 1,000 kyat. Unlike Taung Phalu, this does not represent a change to the status quo; villagers have had to make such payments for years. “This type of payment has been required for the last five years. People always have to provide for all the expenses of the militia troops. It is normally around 800 or 1,000 kyat,” said Nai Kyin, 50, a Mon farmer from the village. “U Maung Gyi made a speech to our village last month and said that People’s Militia is a security force born from people, so people have to assist them.”

At the behest of the army, Township PDC officials have been increasing the number of militia troops in Mon State since 2003. The militia forces are trained by the army so they can fight against “internal and external enemies.” Hundreds have joined the militias voluntarily, because soldiers are conferred authority and special privileges. HUFROM has, however, reported a number of instances of conscription in Ye Township, where men have been forced to join the militia against their will.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News