In a significant development the DKBA 999 regiment, which had signed a ceasefire agreement with the military junta, handed over its weapons to the Burmese Army.

On August 3 afternoon, DKBA officers and soldiers left Myawaddy for Shwe Kukko, the DKBA headquarters, in seven vehicles to surrender the weapons, a Myawaddy local, who is close to DKBA members, said.

“They had to hand over all the weapons from their regiments to the military regime, and then the Burmese Army will issue new weapons to them,” he said.

This handing over was only meant for DKBA 999 regiment in Myawaddy and Kawkareik areas. Other regiments have to hand over weapons later, he added

However, DKBA Brigade (5) commander Major Saw Lar Pwe (a) Major Nauk Kham Mwe and his troops have rejected the proposal to transform to BGF.

The DKBA decided to sign the agreement on changing to BGF with the junta at the end of last month following which the 999 regiment handed over its weapons.

Regarding this the local Military Affairs Security (MAS) had a meeting with DKBA brass but the MAS did not force us to hand over the weapons, a DKBA officer said on condition of anonymity.

“MAS told us we can keep weapons, but it has to be kept at regiments, squadrons, gates and platoon during a meeting on August 3. We can’t carry weapons in the city. This is mandatory for all ceasefire groups as well as DKBA,” he added.

If ceasefire groups transform to BGF, they have to re-organize their armies on the structure of the Burmese Army. That is why they have to hand over their weapons, a KNU officer said on condition of anonymity.

“It is normal. If they transform to BGF, they have to surrender their weapons, and then the Burmese Army will issue new weapons with serial numbers,” he said.

On the BGF issue, there is serious disagreement among DKBA forces and some soldiers have joined KNU, he added.

An unofficial source from Three Pagoda Pass said the regime is trying to arrest DKBA Brigade (5) commander Major Saw Lar Pwe (a) Nauk Kham Mwe.

DKBA split from KUN in 1994.