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NMSP refutes Burmese regime statement about NMSP arms exchange in conjunction with MPG

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MPDG hands over weapons

Rai Maroah, Jaloon Htaw : The New Light of Myanmar, a regime controlled newspaper, incorrectly reported that the New Mon State Party (NMSP)’s armed group participated in a weapons handover, alongside the Mon Peace [Defense] Group, to the Burmese regime, explained a source from the NMSP.

“Our party members would not hand over their weapons, nor do they have a plan to do so. We know Nai Shaung [from the Mon Peace Defense Group] handed over weapons to the Burmese government. The Burmese regime tried to gain politically by announcing news that NMSP took place in the weapons handover as well,” said Nai Hongsa, NMSP secretary.

Nai Hongsa said that this report was a political move by the government so that regular citizens would misunderstand the NMSP.

The New Light of Myanmar stated that some members of NMSP, no longer believing in an armed struggle, joined the Mon Peace Defense Group led by Nai Shaung, and participated in a weapons handover to the government, a basic surrender.

The newspaper stated that 101 NMSP members handed over 22 weapons to the Burmese regime and joined Nai Shaung on December 1st.

In fact, 167 members of the Mon Peace Defense Group, who splintered from NMSP, exchanged arms for peace to the [Burmese military] Southeast Command on October 26th with 50 assorted weapons.

One observer from the Mon Peace Defense Group reported that the group has faced difficulties since the handover because the Burmese government has yet to take the group under its military wing and provide weapons to the group members.

Since October 26th, the remaining members of the Mon Peace Defense Group (MPG) have handed over their weapons to the Burmese government as well.

One NMSP source explained that 52 MPG members gave their weapons to General Zaw Min, vice-commander of the Southeast Command at a Mon monastery in Kaw pauk village, Karen State.

The Light Infantry Division (LID) No. 22 based in Hpa-an took responsibility for the groups’ security, explained a villager living near Kaw Pauk village. He further explained, “they [the Burmese army] came with three or four vehicles, but I’m not sure how many people.”

According to a businessman from Mudon, Nai Shaung’s group withdrew from the Kaw Yekha area where the Burmese government had set up control due to fighting with the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the NMSP didn’t allow Nai Shaung’s group to oversee the Thaton district area.

He said that “They [MPG] also bought a house in Myaing Thayar ward, Moulmein town to engage in business transactions but businessmen in the area refused to work with the group. The Burmese government did not provide security or support for MPG in that area and so MPG ran into difficulties.

A political observer explained that the MPG exchanged arms with the Burmese government so that they wouldn’t feel cramped by the different powers ruling on all sides.

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