August 16, 2017
By Mizzima
National League for Democracy (NLD) party, Sittway
Township Chairman San Shwe Kyaw said that the Union Government was planning to
provide military training to local ethnic Rakhine people and equip them with
arms for resolving armed conflicts in Maungdaw area, northern Rakhine State.
“You reporters might have known this news. I’ll tell you
this news if not. The Union Government is launching a military operation soon
in big scale to fight against this menace. And then in all these conflict areas
in remote and far flung areas, fight against terrorism will be done in the form
of People’s Militias. All of them are being planned,” San Shwe Kyaw said on
August 15.
Public demonstrations were staged simultaneously in 15
townships in Rakhine State on August 13, demanding the establishment of
People’s Militias in Rakhine State.
San Shwe Kyaw said, “The people asked the government to
establish armed groups in the form of People’s Militias. And the government is
planning to provide military training to local people soon and they will be
armed in the form of People’s Militias with the concept of military training
for all. We are very much pleased with this plan.”
Moreover, Radio Free Asia (RFA) Burmese Service citing
Shwezedi Abbot Ashin Ariya Wuntha said that Union Border Affairs Minister Lt.
Gen. Ye Aung said at a meeting with 11 senior abbots in Sittway in his tour to
Rakhine State along with three other union ministers that the Tatmadaw (Defence
Services) would use helicopters and armoured vehicles in their military
operation in Maungdaw area.
Similarly, many ethnic Rakhine political parties and
people demanded People’s Militias in their areas after police border guard
outposts were attacked on October 9, 2016.
Recently the Tatmadaw C-in-C met Rakhine based Rakhine
National Party (RNP) and discussed security affairs in the State and special
operation forces and army divisions were sent to Maungdaw.
Also read here:
Progress but challenges remain on media front
– Expert: http://www.bnionline.net/news/mizzima/item/3369-progress-but-challenges-remain-on-media-front-expert.html
Gov't spokesperson rejects rumours regarding
establishment of People’s Militias in Rakhine State: http://www.bnionline.net/news/mizzima/item/3383-gov-t-spokesperson-rejects-rumours-regarding-establishment-of-people-s-militias-in-rakhine-state.html