Due to excessive chores in the Burmese Army, many members of the newly formed militia units in Nakawngmu, a village in Mongton township, opposite Chiangmai’s Chiangdao district, are reportedly fleeing from the bases, local sources said.
Most people have fled to the Thai side with their family members. Only few people remain in the operational areas, but not in their villages, a villager in Nakawngmu said.
“They let their families settle ahead. If the family is ready, they then follow later,” he said.
There were no less than 60 men, who fled from the post since the group’s transformation into the junta-run militia battalion.
According to local sources, the militia members are being forced to build new camps and do other work such as building fences, carrying soil and cutting wood for the army as soon as they finish attending military training by the Burmese Army.
The Burmese Army is said to be constructing two more new camps along the Thai-Burma border. One is reported to be under construction on the way to Mongjawd, where the United Wa State Army (UWSA)’s 772nd brigade is based, and is also the gateway to the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South” base Loi Taileng. Another one is at Tawlerh village, near Pongpakhem sub-township of Mongton, 10 miles north of the border.
“The situation is not the same as what they told us before,” a militia man who asked not to be named told SHAN.
“They said we were not soldiers even though our units are under their control. But now they are handling us as their soldiers. They control us with their army rules since we were in training.”
Since early 2008, the Burmese Army has been recruiting and forming militia battalions across the country due its Naypyitaw’s policy to set up one militia battalion in each village tract. And they have also been giving military training to all militia members.
In addition, the Burmese Army announced that all militia men will be provided with uniforms, rations and pay from the beginning of this year. Each private will be receiving at least Kyat 20,000 ($20) per month, same as the Burmese Army’s.
According to latest information, a junta’s new recruit’s salary is Kyat 36,000 (US$ 36), a private Kyat 41,000 (US$ 41), a captain Kyat 140,000 (US$140) and a battalion commander Kyat 180,000 (US $ 180). In 2006, a private was paid Kyat 22,000 (US$22) and a new recruit was paid Kyat 15,000 (US$ 15) per month. And Senior General Than Shwe received Kyat 1.2 million per month while his Vice-Senior General Maung Aye was paid Kyat 1 million.
So far there has been no information that the militia members received the salary, said a source close to the top echelons of militia units.
Commanders of Mongton militia battalion are Tin Win, based near Tasang, Ja Pikoi, based in Pongpakhem and Jakaw, based in Mongton.
The militia in Mongton is now reported to have been given teakwood permit from BP1 (Boundary Pillar#1), the border pass between Mongton township and Chiangdao of Chiangmai province, in order to be able to buy enough supplies to provide and look after their men.
