Retired Tatmadaw personnel who have chosen to stay in Kayin (Karen) State must follow local rules and will be under the supervision of the state-level Joint Monitoring Committee, an official said this week in an attempt to allay local concerns.
Major General Myo Win, chair of the state’s Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-S), said the retirees must abide by respective village rules and regulations, just as any other civilian does.
He remarks were made at a JMC-S dialogue at a church in Kyaingyi Village on April 26.
At the meeting, Naw Eh Si, administrator of Shwe Toe-Kyar In Village Group, aired complaints about the behavior of some of the retired military personnel. He said alcohol-fueled fighting is a big problem, especially as the villages in the area do not permit the sale of alcohol. He added that the village administrative office is at its wits end trying to keep the former soldiers in line with the local regulations.
“Military personnel from Infantry Battalion 32 have settled in the villages after leaving the army. Sale of alcohol is prohibited in our village group,” he said. “Police have repeatedly had to tell [the retired military personnel] not to sell alcohol, including most recently on the night of April 23. When a stabbing case happens [after alcohol is consumed], we have to handle it. [The retirees] don’t respect their neighbors. Problems arise frequently because they are selling alcohol and we have to go and try to stop them from doing it. They asked me to sign a paper giving them a license to sell alcohol. But it’s not beneficial for the public so I didn’t sign it.”
Maj Gen Myo Win assured that community that the retired military personnel are subject to the same laws as any other civilian.
“A military personnel who takes a pension after turning 60 is a civilian. He was born as a civilian and he will die as a civilian. He must abide by the rules and regulations whether he is in school, an office or a village. Administrative unity is very important. We will coordinate with respective organizations on the issue of ensuring they abide by the rules,” he said.
The villages in Kya-in Seikkyi township are under dual administration of the Karen National Union and the Burmese government. Village administrators say they constantly have to remind residents that they are subject to regulations from both sides.
Around 150 people from Kya-in Seikkyi township attended the JMC-S meeting, which involved JMC-S members as well as representatives from ethnic armed organizations active in the region.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
