More than 500 armed group members enter the legal system, striking a major blow to opposition
116
Phyo (NP News) - March 21
On the morning of March 19, a ceremony was held in the Central Command area to systematically hand over 506 individuals including members of the PDF who had returned under the law, to their guardians. Regarding this process, opposition groups have criticized it, claiming it is merely a propaganda move by the Tatmadaw.
It is reported that more than 500 armed members were actually enlightened, and they did not enter all at once, but rather, those who entered the legal fold in batches were gathered together, awarded honorable mentions, and returned to their parents.
At the ceremony, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung said, "Today, with the relaxation of the national government, the regional military command welcomes 54 people who have come to the light with weapons and ammunition, and 452 who have returned to the light without weapons, a total of 506 people."
He added that so far, the total number of people who have come to the light in the Central Military Command has reached 1,180.
The 453 men and 53 women who entered the legal framework, along with 78 guns and ammunition, were mostly from Thabeikkyin, Singu, Mogok, Sintgaing, and Kyaukse regions.
A young man who entered the light recounted the bitter experiences he had in the jungle, saying, "I was working in Nay Pyi Taw when a friend invited me there because the salary was good. From there, I attended a three-month training course. During the training, they did not provide enough medicine. They added ammunition, gasoline, and other things to the meals we ate. When they added such things, when the training was tiring and the food was not good, the trainees got sick. They got diarrhea. When they went to the clinic, they said, ‘You don't care about food,' and they refused to treat them. They even shot and killed those who ran away on the road."
He also revealed that armed groups monopolize gold mines in the Singu area, torture people, demand exorbitant amounts of money from fishing sites, and mistreat young women.
The young man who entered the legal fold continued, "When they found out we were going to enter the light, they threatened us, saying the Tatmadaw would abuse the girls and conscript the boys. However, in reality, we just live and eat as normal. Everything is arranged so that things run smoothly for us." He urged other armed members to enter the light as soon as possible without being lost in the forest.
The government offered rewards based on the type of weapons surrendered by the armed members who entered into the legal system. These range from five million kyats for each automatic rifle to 7.5 million kyats for each RPG, with additional amounts for other weapons and ammunition. The total reward amounted to about 200 million kyats.
Similarly, 22 more PDF members, including a pregnant woman, entered the light at the Southern Military Command on March 20.
Additionally, a source close to the matter said that over 200 more people are yet to enter the legal fold via the Central Command area.
Therefore, the number of people who are currently returning to the legal system has increased significantly nationwide.