A leaked letter reveals that the Military Council has directed the compilation and submission of a list of subordinate personnel for the potential formation of a volunteer armed force in the Eastern Command region of Southern Shan State by August 17.
The leaked letter instructs the compilation of a list of Non-CDM personnel in Taunggyi District, Kalaw District, Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, and Danu Self-Administered Zone.
The leaked letter states, "To establish a militia strategy in the Eastern Command region, a report should be submitted outlining the conversion of reserve forces into militia battalions, allocation of responsibilities based on the force conditions, and the formation and assignment of reserve forces in case of an emergency."
Early this month, the letter was dispatched to department offices, bearing the signature of Colonel Sein Win, the Minister of Security and Border Affairs of Shan State. The directive was to compile personnel lists for district offices and townships, excluding the police forces, within the Eastern Command region.
A local source from Ywangan Township revealed that due to the Military Council's establishment of multiple war fronts throughout the nation and its limited capacity to control regions in southern Shan State, the gathering of lists of non-CDM personnel is underway to potentially create a militia force.
In the Danu Self-Administered Zone, particularly in Pindaya and Ywangan, a majority of the personnel initially participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) at the onset of the military coup. However, due to various reasons, a portion of them subsequently resumed working under the Military Council.
According to some residents, non-CDM personnel expressed dissatisfaction with the process of compiling the list for the formation of the militia.
"From the start, they didn't like the Military Council. They transitioned back to non-CDM due to various reasons," said a Ywangan source.
An official from the Danu People's Liberation Front (DPLF) cautioned that non-CDM personnel associated with the military council must now decide between aligning themselves officially with the people or remaining aligned with the Military Council.
"Currently, there's still an opportunity to submit a resignation letter and join the CDM. Those not participating in the CDM will clearly realize that it's time to make an official decision – whether to support the people or continue serving under the Military Council," a DPLF official told Mizzima.
In the Eastern Command regions, covering Taunggyi, Kalaw, Danu Self-Administered Zone, and Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, there is currently no significant conflict between the Military Council and the revolutionary forces.
However, following the announcement of the establishment of the Danu People's Liberation Front (DPLF) on July 29, residents reported that the Military Council escalated security measures, resulting in incidents of house burnings and arrests of villagers in Ywangan and Pindaya.
