Amidst mounting political tension, Mon people explain that they don’t want the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA) to be put under Burmese army control nor become a people’s militia force.
Nevertheless, they also express not wishing to end the ceasefire with the military government, a change that would open the door to increased fighting, as has been seen recently in Karen State.
As the State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC, continues to put pressure on the New Mon State Party (NMSP), to place their army (MNLA) under the reconstitution of a Border Guard Force (BGF) or change it into a government-aligned people’s militia force, party officials and residents remain unconvinced.
“What the SPDC offers the NMSP so far, we don’t agree with either. We Mon People can create our own development through education, health care, and community development. If we agree with SPDC policy, the NMSP will [no longer represent] the Mon people and the MNLA can’t protect us,” said a Mon resident on July 24th at a meeting in Ye Township.
The NMSP must give a response to the SPDC by the end of this month and thus held town hall-style meetings to gauge residents’ opinions.
“We can’t agree what the SPDC offers to the NMSP; their policy will finish [our army]. Not only are we worried about the cease fire ending, but also we have to know that NMSP power has decreased during the cease fire term with the SPDC,” said a leader of youth monks active in politics.
Nai Rotsa, vice-chairperson of the NMSP, listened to opinions in Moulmein district; Nai Aung Min of the NMSP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) held a second meeting at the Central Headquarters in Ye Township. CEC member Nai Htar Wara, held a third meeting in Tavoy district and Nai Tla Nyeh (CEC) held a fourth in Thaton district.
Currently, the NMSP is holding an emergency meeting at the Central Headquarters to discuss with their members how to respond to the SPDC.
IMNA has received reports that some businessmen and politicians are concerned about the state of the cease fire and the possibility of future violence between the SPDC and NMSP; therefore, they’ve pressured the NMSP to become a BGF or people’s militia force.
Various Mon groups have publicly denounced the attempts by the SPDC to transform the military of Mon State. The Mon Affair Union (MAU), the Overseas Mon Community Committee (OMCC), along with monks and university students from ‘inside Burma’ sent an open letter to the NMSP strongly negative toward the SPDC offer and asking for them to fight back.
