Frustrated by military abuses, young Mon men join Rehmonnya group

July 27, 2009

HURFOM: Pervasive human rights abuses are being suffered by Mon residents in Tenassarim Division at the hands of the Burmese army; in response, many young men have joined the Mon insurgent group Rahmonnya.

One young man, a Kyaukadin resident formerly involved with Rehmonnya, told a HURFOM field reporter that the army oppressed and abused his villagers, including forced portering and battalion support fees. He added that he could not go and work freely on the plantations, that soldiers ‘borrowed’ the motorbikes and made villagers pay for gas, and that when the soldiers were drunk they would attack residents with impunity.

He wanted to do something for his village and friends, and so he decided to join the Rahmonnya armed insurgent group: “no one can protect us, we have to protect ourselves,” he said.

Similarly, more than 15 young Mon men from Tenasserim have fled home and joined the Rahmonnya Mon insurgent group, hoping to protect their homes. Others joined the Chan Dein-led insurgent group.

After the young men fled home and joined the insurgent groups, their parents were questioned by the SPDC’s LIB No. 273 and the Burmese soldiers; a source told HURFOM that they ordered the parents to call their sons back home. It has not been confirmed how any of these parents responded to the orders thus far.

The Rahmonnya group was established by an ex-soldier from the New Mon State Party, Nai Khin Maung, and is advised by ex-NMSP major Nai Shoung.

Rahmonnya itself has also committed human rights abuses and extorted money from Mon villagers, according to a June article published by the Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA).

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News