JMC-S holds public meeting in Mon State’s Ye Tsp

The State-level Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Committee – Mon State (JMC-S) held a public meeting on Saturday, in Hnintsot Village, Ye Township, Mon State, to explain the rules and regulations between the ethnic armed groups that signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) and the Tatmadaw.

The meeting attracted over 400 local participants in Ye Township, in addition to the presence of the Mon State JMC vice-chairman (1), Colonel Saw Palay, Colonel Win Naing Oo of Mon State’s Security and Border Affair Ministry, and the Mon State Chief Police U Bo Bo Oo.

“They explained to the locals the rules and regulations that both sides [NCA signatory groups and Tatmadaw] have to respect. The public wants to live in peace right now. They do not want conflict like there was in the past. They request that both sides take responsibility for long term peace,” said U Aung Than Lwin, who attended as a representative of Ye Township’s Township Municipal Committee.

Locals urged at the meeting that those who are responsible must participate in finding solutions for the land disputes in Ye Township.

“The Joint Monitoring Committee – Mon State members should elaborate about the KNU (Karen National Union) and Tatmadaw situation because the KNU has signed the NCA. At the meeting, they explained the rules that both sides should follow,” said a local.

The JMC-S Mon State members also clarified the fundamental points of the NCA, the NCA’s objectives and goals, ceasefire matters, the stations of armed groups, and future programs.

JMC-S Mon State was founded on June 30, 2016, and currently holds 14 members, including Brig. Gen. Myo Win of the Southeast Command in Mon State, as core chairperson, Col. Saw Palay as vice-chairman (1) and Dr. Min Nwe Soe, vice-chairman (2).