Burmese Army troops based in Bayintnaung army town (Than Taung Gyi town), are imparting training to 50 villagers from five wards in Than Taung Gyi town, Taungoo district, Karen State from October 18 for the people’s militia.

Infantry Battalion (124) and (603), which are under the command of the southern military command base in Than Taung Gyi town is imparting the training, a local said.

“Ten people from each ward (ward No. 1 to 5) had to attend the militia training. We are afraid so we attended the training. Similar militia training was given in the past for one week to a month,” he added.

Junta’s forces in Taungoo district always recruit for the people’s militia every year in Than Taung Gyi town, a KNLS source said.

“Recruitments are made for people’s militia every year. Each person has to serve as a militia for at least one year in rotation. If three people serve this year, the other three have to serve next year. The recruitment depends on the size of the village. If a person doesn’t want to attend the militia training, he has to hire another trainee. Some villages which have enough money hire trainees for Kyat two lakhs. If a village has to send five trainees, it spends Kyat 10 lakhs,” he explained.

“After the militia training, the trainees have to follow the army’s patrol columns. In a platoon, there are 5 to 6 soldiers and 5 to 6 people’s militia men. In Htan Ta Pin town, people had to serve as militia for 10 years but villagers in Than Taung Gyi Township have had to serve as people’s militia since 1997,” he added.

There are about 3,000 houses in Than Taung Gyi town.  Hkawel, Htetapu, Khothaydal, Thuyeldal, Kathawpwe, Lalgikho (upper and lower village), Sabar Lawhtee, Khawlawkar, Kheldalkar, Tabar Phel (old and new village), Kathweedee (new and old village), Kalalparkhe, Kashikhe (upper and lower village), Hteepukhe (upper and lower village), Amelar Khese, Oaksitthon and Kalal Mugar villages are near the Than Taung Gyi town.

Burmese Army columns and the KNLA’s battalion (4) and (5) patrol this area.

Than Taung Gyi town is like May Myo (Pyin Oo Lwin). It has military training schools, other military affairs departments and Special Forces for security.

Than Taung Gyi’s name was changed to Bayintnaung army town in 1997. The town has a basic military training school, officer training school, heavy weaponry training school and a radar camp.