Kya Pikoi,well known Naypyitaw-backed militia chief of Nakawngmu, a village in Mongton Township, opposite Chiangmai, has been officially promoted to a commander of the newly formed militia battalion, according to Thai and Shan sources on the border.
The ceremony presided over by Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, commander of Shan and Kayah states, took place at the Infantry Battalion #65 command post on February 16. “Initially, the ceremony had been planned to be held with much pomp and fanfare,” said a resident from the township. “But, thanks to the Shan Herald, the news had spread far and wide, and the authorities thought better of it.”
Peng Jiasheng
Kya Pikoi,in his early 50s, was also granted a permit for 1,200 tons of timber. His operational area ranges from Mongpu in the north to BP (Boundary Pillar) #1 in the south and Tasang in the west to Pianghsa (near Doilang) in the east.
The bulk of his troops comprise Lahu. “Only those, who were ill informed, had joined it,” said a local trader. “Most had shunned it.”
Min Aung Hlaing flew into Nakawngmu around 13:30 and left at 15:00 in a helicopter. Security was tightened throughout the day. All public mobile phone antennae were ordered to be removed. “Even the Wa soldiers coming down from Monghsat (in the east) were stopped at Maeken (12 miles north of Nakawngmu) until his departure.”
According to a report by the Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), Burma’s ruling military council plans to set up one militia battalion in each village tract. There are 13,725 village tracts in the whole country. Its immediate goal, however, appears to be one battalion per township. There are around 325 townships in Burma.
