The new locations include 3 places in Mon state-Ye Township, 2 places in Yebyu Sub-township, 2 places in Thanbyuzayat Township, 2 places in Mudon Township, 2 places in Kyaikmayaw Township, 2 places in Tanintharyi Division and 2 places in Karen State,. However, the confirmation of four places was still being negotiated, according to a NMSP representative.

“Mainly, we have to negotiate on the places in the west side of the highway road. The government suggested we open propaganda offices instead of basing battalions at those places,” he continued.

The agreement governing the new locations is tentative and will be finalized at the Central Committee Meeting which will be held in the 15th of this month.

The purpose of the new placement is to develop local stability and to protect the civiliansbecause extortion and other human rights abuses by the NMSP’s splinter groups and other armed groups frequently occurred in previous years.

“We can specially ensure local security and after that we can go forward with local development. To construct roads at the places where there was no road or there are only bad roads, and to develop agribusiness should be taken into account as our civilians (Mon nationals) make their livelihoods mainly from agribusiness,” the source said.

NMSP military advisor, Nai Kao Rot, said, “I would like to point out that if the battalions are based in the places like Paukpinkwin or Magyi, the NMSP can protect the civilians from the danger of the splinter groups as the splinter groups can’t be active (in those regions). Meanwhile, a battalion based in Zee-Hnapin can protect the civilians from the danger of Karen armed groups. I is my opinion that a battalion should be based in Lain-Maw-Chan too.”

This agreement for the extension battalions could be just a temporary one and if the Burma’s political situation becomes stable, the battalions (of the NMSP) in Karen State should be withdrawn. And, this ceasefire agreement was better than the one during the era of General Kin Nyunt, Nai Kao Rot said.