Min Thuta – Many previously retired members of the New Mon State Party Army have returned to the party recently, according to an officer from the NMSP’s Central Quarter.
“It is difficult to say the exact members.Some returned to the Central Quarter, while others have returned to party district offices and township offices. The returns could be related to the Burmese authorities’ order to surrender all arms by 30 June,” said the officer.
The statement ordered armed ethnic groups who have ceasefire agreements with the Burmese government to turn in their arms at local police stations or Sa Ya Pha (new Military Intelligence) offices by 30 June.
“Some villagers will go by the statement and give up arms if they have them. That’s why I returned to NMSP, because I could have the next step to sign bail bonds. The authorities could coerce villagers step-by-step,” a previously retired captain who recently returned to NMSP’s Central Quarter said.
Moreover, some who were retired from district armies have returned to the NMSP in Thaton District, based near Kawbeen Village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, according to Nai Ong Manage, secretary of Thaton District.
“Currently, former party army members are returning as attendants. They will serve during a period. Some have informed me that former officers commanding military units and soldiers will be back if fighting with the Burmese army begins in their area,” said Nai Ong Manage.
These members retired from the party during the time after NMSP signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese regime in 1995. Most have been working in agriculture for their survival.
The NMSP had about 7,000 soldiers when it signed the ceasefire agreement with the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which later changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), according to a government newspaper at the time.
Currently, the NMSP has approximately 3,500 soldiers, according to a document sent by the South East Command (SEC) at the beginning of 2009.
The relationship between the NMSP and the Burmese government has been tense since the NMSP declared its refusal to transform itself to be part of the Border Guard Force (BGF) and Peoples’ Militia on 1 September 2009.
