Failing to persuade ceasefire groups to fully transform themselves as border guard forces (BGF), the junta military is now reported to have turned to accelerate recruiting and forming militia units into battalions, according to sources from the Thai-Burma border.

A Lahu militia unit, which is based in Talerh, 48 km northeast of Tachilek, eastern Shan State and has been active along the Mekong, has been recently transformed as the Mekong Border Security Battalion. It leader, Sai Awn, son of well-known militia chief Kya Seubo, was promoted as its commander, said a source close to the group leadership.

The group has over 400 men. Early in the month, over 60 men living along the Mekong were recruited by the group, he said. “Currently, they are undergoing military training,” he said.

The group will be provided uniforms, rations and pay by the Burma Army beginning the end of the year. Each private will be receiving Kyat 20,000 ($20) per month, same as the Burma Army’s.

“Militiamen are believed to enjoy more rights than junta soldiers because some businessmen from the area are giving money to apply for membership hoping to be allowed to trade freely,” another source said, “Some have paid up to Baht 30,000 ($902.42).”

Likewise, Mongton township, opposite Chiangmai’s Chiangdao district, have one militia battalion. Tin Win, head of Maeken militia, is reportedly battalion commander and two others Ja Pikoi, based in Pongpakhem, and Jakaw, based in Mongton, as deputy commanders.

Senior Gen Than Shwe had issued a directive that there must be “One village tract, One battalion” across the country, according to Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), an exiled group specializing in research on the Burmese military on 15 July 2007.

All militia groups are categorized into three levels: Home, Hardcore and Reserve in accordance with its People’s War Strategy, but so far there has no more than 1,000 men from all the three levels in each township or sub-township, the group said.
According to its research, Burma has 13,725 village tracts, 325 townships and some 60 sub-townships.

A veteran Burma watcher said, “The militias will be used as cannon fodders in the Burma Army’s future offensives against armed opposition groups.”

At the same time, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), after its meeting with Lt-Gen Ye Myint Chief of Military Affairs Security (MAS) in Shan State North’s Tangyan on 14 November, has been intensively reinforcing more troops, supplies and weapons to border areas facing Burma Army bases, said a source from the Sino-Burma border.

It main focus areas are Mongpawk in the south, Hopang-Panglong in the north and Manghseng, west of its capital Panghsang. It has been digging trenches and building concrete bunkers at the three bases.

Many people have also expected that if there will be fighting, it might break out at the said three places, most likely at Manghseng because it is near the road that serves as a convenient route for the Burma Army to access, the source said. ( The UWSA’s Mangpart base faces the Burma Army’s Loi Panglong base there.)

“No agreement was reached despite the softened stand from the Wa side,” he said, “Looking at the Wa preparations, it is likely they are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.”

Meanwhile, the Wa officials announced that people holding ID cards that specify them as Burmans are not allowed to enter to its territory anymore. In addition, those working in Panghsang and have gone on a visit to their hometowns are also not allowed to return, according to a truck driver visiting the Thai border.

“Us drivers are also warned not to bring any more Burmans,” said the driver, “As for those remaining in Panghsang, they must have some local recommendations.”

Currently, there are around 200-300 Burmans working in Panghsang. They are being watched by Wa officials as there is reason to believe some are spies, according to the source.

Tensions between the Naypyitaw and the ceasefire groups have mounted since April, when the latter were presented with the BGF proposal which requires all their battalions to be run by junta officers.