Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA)

‘People Vigorous Association’ is formed for fight against rebel

December 1, 2003

SPDC top commander from Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. Maung Bo confirmed in Ye Township meeting that the paramilitary ‘People Vigorous Association’ (PVA) which are formed to fight foreign invasion must be currently used for fighting against the rebel forces which had activities in the areas.

In a meeting with the local SPDC Ye Township authorities and headmen from various villages on November 25, the Commander blamed them for the activities of rebel activities in the area and confirmed the above statement.

He also accused the Mon village headmen in the area that they has been supporting a local Mon rebel armed group Mon National Warrior Army (MNWA), which launches the military activities in southern part of Ye Township area and in Yebyu Township (of Tenasserim Division).

“Why not we use PVA to fight against these rebels” confirmed by the commander, while the headmen are arguing they are not supporting the rebels, but they are afraid of their guns.

PVA was formed in every township of Mon State by the regime after their military training from June to August 2003. It was formed with the local militia force and members of USDA (Union Solidarity and Development Association), which are previously formed by the regime. The regime aims to use them as ‘paramilitary force’ in order to fight against the potential foreign invasion and to use them in Anti Pro-democracy Demonstrations.

After Many 30 Depeyin Massacre by killing many National League for Democracy (NLD) members in upper Burma, the SPDC has propagandized that there would be foreign invasion to Burma and a possible pro-democracy demonstration in cities. Then it forced the civilians, government servants, firemen and USDA members to attend short-term military training.

PVA was formed not only in Mon State, also in other parts of Burma. Additionally, the trainers selected some of PVA members and trained them as ‘Commando’ to use them in war.

The formation of PVA is an agenda of Burmese Army’s militarization policy and it also describes in its army manual book titled ‘People Force Operation’ that these paramilitary forces will be used in fighting against the rebel forces and foreign invasion.