The Ministry of Home Affairs of the National Unity Government (NUG) has disclosed that within a span of six days, 158 civilian employees (Non-CDM staff) from Kawlin and Wuntho Township in Sagaing Region, who had previously abstained from joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM),have now defected.
Following the joint capture of Kawlin by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People's Defense Force on November 6th, the People's Administrative Teams (PATs) issued orders on November 24th for non-CDM staff to defect. In response, hundreds of non-CDM staff members complied within the subsequent six days after the issuance of these instructions.
NUG reported that 98 non-CDM staff were contacted to defect in Kawlin, and 60 in Wuntho.
These figures represent the total number of defections that occurred between November 28th and December 3rd. All non-CDM staff employed across different departments under the Military Council have been instructed by PATs to defect by the deadline of December 25th.
Those who have defected will be addressed in accordance with the civil service policies issued by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) in January, as well as in adherence to human rights standards.
The resistance forces have also issued a warning to non-CDM staff under the Military Council, emphasizing that this is their final opportunity, and strongly urge a reconsideration of their position and a shift towards aligning with the people.
On December 3rd, NUG declared that the People's Administrative machinery had commenced operations in Kawlin, a town under the joint control of the KIA and PDF.
As per NUG's announcement, the Kawlin District Emergency Management Coordinating Team, established on November 8th, will oversee the administrative processes. Defense matters will be collaboratively addressed by PDF, the People's Defense Teams (PDTs), and the People's Police Force (PPF).
In addition to Kawlin, the joint resistance forces have successfully seized control of Khampat Sub-township in Tamu Township and Shwepyiaye town in Homalin Township, according to NUG and PDF.
