Narinjara news


Burma forms paramilitary People’s Army

Sittwe, 15^th July 03:  The ruling SPDC junta of Burma has begun formation of a civil defence force named as Pyithu-seik (People’s Army) as a preparatory measure for a ‘possible war’, as feared by the junta, from last month.  From a number of townships in the western Burmese state of Rakhine reports have confirmed the formation of paramilitary force named as Pyithu-seik or People’s Army in recent weeks.

Alerting the people of an ‘imminent war’, without any clear definition made to what war it is, the junta officials have already conscripted two hundred and twenty full-time members of the People’s Army and four hundred and forty part-time members from 22 village tracts in Kyaukpru Township alone. Kyaukpru is situated about 100 miles south of Sittwe (Akyab), the capital of Rakhine state.

Reports from other townships also confirm the fact that a new People’s Army is in the making in the island township of Rambree, where one hundred and twenty full-time members and two hundred and forty part-time members have been conscripted. At present the newly recruited paramilitary forces are being duly given military training.

In the border township of Maungdaw also the people’s army operating under the Nasaka border security forces composing of Muslim members have been reorganized by the inclusion of Rakhine Buddhist members. 

In each of the village tracts in Rakhine State orders have been issued to recruit at least thirty People’s Army members to this effect.

On his recent visit to Bangladesh the Burmese foreign minister U Win Aung handed over a letter to the Bangladesh prime minister.  Burma sought assurance from Bangladesh in the letter that the land, air or sea of Bangladesh will not be allowed for use by any country for military purpose against Burma, the Daily Star reported on 7^th July.

The conscription has caused wide dissatisfaction among the farmers of the seventeen townships of the western Burmese state who in this rice season have been unable to do their regular farming due to the military training they have to undergo, a village leader who wanted to remain unnamed said.  #