The No.1 battalion commander of the Mon Peace and Defence Force, Major Nai Min Maung (aka Ko Toe) was arrested in Mawlamyine Township on 30th September and will be prosecuted for illegally possessing arms and owning an unregistered car said an anonymous police source.
The source said: “When we tried to arrest him he said he would set off a hand grenade, so we tried to calm him down as much as possible. Unfortunately that did not help so we moved in swiftly and arrested him.”
He was arrested while staying in room 107 at New Dawn Guesthouse, No. 4 Street, Myaing Thar Yar Ward, Mawlamyine Township during a surprise check on Guesthouse guest lists.
Police seized from him an M16 rifle, a pistol, a Singapore made hand grenade, a knife and an unregistered car.
Nai Min Maung was charged under Sections 19/A and 19/C of Section 8 of the Import and Export Law at Myaing Thar Yar police station, Mawlamyine Township.
There are already warrants out for the arrest of Nai Thein Win and Nai Kharot, two officers from the No. 2 Battalion of the Mon Peace and Defence Force, for possession of drugs and illegal arms said a resident from Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon state.
He said: “They got licences to run the gambling at festivals, they distributed drugs, charged people to solve criminal cases and took bribes from criminals which is why they were arrested.”
Mon Peace and Defence Force battalion no. 1 is based at southern Kaw-Yakha village, Phaan Township, Karen State. Battalion No.2 is based at Development Ward, Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State and Battalion No. 3 is based at Lan-Wa, Ni-Doan village, Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State.
The Mon Peace and Defence Force was founded in 2008 by Brigadier General Aung Naing, the retired army chief of the new Mon State Party (NMSP). Retired NMSP Colonel Nai Shaung joined them in 2010 and led the force after Brigadier General Aung Naing died. Their current leader is Lieutenant Colonel Aung Chan.
Though the Mon Peace and Defence Force is organized by former NMSP members it has never been involved with the NMSP according to Nai Han Thar, vice chairperson of the NMSP.
On 1st December last year 101 members of the Mon Peace and Defence Force gave up 22 weapons to the authorities at a ceremony at Kaw-Bauk village, Kawkareilk Township. Brigadier General Ngwe Thein, director general of the Army Recruitment Unit and Major General Zaw Min, the Karen State Prime Minister, were also present.
Previously, 268 members of the force under Colonel Nai Shaung had given up 70 weapons at a ceremony held at South East Infantry Division headquarters on 26th October 2010.
