Militias from Thanpyuzayart Township Mon State southern Burma have been despatched to the frontline with Burmese Army troops to participate in a drill and fight Mon rebels.

The militia was formed in 2003 at the behest of the army to fight against "internal and external enemies" in the event of an invasion of the country after the Depeyin massacre and the attempt on the life of the pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The attack on the democracy icon was alleged to have been orchestrated by the junta with the help of goons of the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA) and others.

Militia personnel from Wei-win-kara, Taung-phalu, Wae-Thun-Gyung, and Ya Thae Taung villge in Thanpyuzayart Township have been sent to southern Ye Township.

"This is the second time militias have been sent there for the rebel offensive drill," a militia captain in southern Mon state said.

"Villagers were ordered to shell out 100,000 Kyat and given the responsibility of looking after the families of the militia while they are on the front line," he added.

The militias are an extension of the army and were trained by soldiers for months in army bases in 2003. The military regime appointed each of them gave them ranks, arms and uniforms.

After May 30, 2003 Depeyin massacre, the military regime ordered the militia to be trained by the army given rumours that the US Army would intervene in Burma and hundreds of villagers were forced to join the military training.