IN line with the Tatmadaw’s continued emphasis on maintaining national peace and stability, successes have been achieved in counter-terrorism operations, with areas temporarily controlled by terrorist insurgents being fully regained. Local ethnic people have welcomed and supported these developments, actively cooperating with the Tatmadaw out of trust, reliance and enthusiasm. As a result, members of armed terrorist organizations have come to understand the peace process and reported to nearby military camps and security forces to return to the legal fold.
Among those who returned to the legal fold were 48 individuals — 43 men and four women from the so-called DPLA, and one man from the socalled KNPP — who surrendered together with arms and ammunition. A ceremony to systematically hand them over to their parents and guardians was held this morning at Thanlwin Hall of Eastern Command.
The ceremony was attended by Shan State Chief Minister U Sai Htein Soe, Eastern Command Commander BrigGen Kyaw Naing Oo and officials, officials from the Pa-O and Danu Self-Administered Zones, departmental officials, members of the Myanmar Police Force, invitees, the returnees, and their parents and guardians.
First, the Shan State Chief Minister delivered an opening address of honour, after which the Eastern Command Commander gave an educational briefing to the returning youth. The Shan State Police Chief, Police Brig-Gen, then gave a briefing on legal matters.
Afterwards, the returnees surrendered the weapons and ammunition they had brought with them, comprising two MA-1 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six assorted magazines, two hand grenades and 251 rounds of assorted ammunition. The weapons and ammunition were accepted by the State Chief Minister, the Commander and responsible officials.
The State Chief Minister and the Commander subsequently presented cash rewards of K15 million for the three automatic rifles, K600,000 for the two hand grenades and K4.8 million, at a rate of K100,000 for each of the 48 returnees. The total cash rewards amounted to K20.4 million, together with gifts, which were received by the returnees.
Following this, a representative of the returnees expressed words of gratitude. The returnees then signed pledges before being systematically handed over to their parents and guardians.
At today’s ceremony, those who returned to the legal fold, having placed their faith in the peace process and genuinely wishing for regional stability, and who were subsequently handed over to their guardians, comprised 24 men and four women from Yatsauk Township in Southern Shan State; 12 men from Pindaya Township; one man from Ywangan Township; one man from Okpho Township in Bago Region; one man from Pyawbwe Township in Mandalay Region; one man from Magway in Magway Region; one man from North Okkalapa Township in Yangon Region; one man from Myeik Township in Taninthayi Region; one man from Phyu Township in Bago Region; and one man from Mese Township in Kayah State.
DPLA and KNPP members reportedly returned to the legal fold and renounced the path of armed struggle for several reasons. They said they had been forcibly recruited through coercion involving their family members and relatives; could no longer tolerate terrorist acts, including threatening, arresting and killing innocent civilians and civil servants for the benefit of terrorist organizations, as well as blowing up and destroying non-military infrastructure, roads and bridges; and had faced hierarchical discrimination, internal bullying, torture, killings and other abuses within the groups.
They also reportedly suffered hardship, deprivation and low morale because they were unable to withstand the Tatmadaw’s offensives. Having come to trust and accept the peace process of the State and the Tatmadaw, they wished to live peacefully within the legal framework and contribute back to the State and the people who had suffered losses as a result of their actions.
As returnees are being welcomed back, provided with necessary assistance and systematically reunited with their parents and guardians, many others are reportedly still wishing to return to the legal fold. Those who wish to return will be welcomed and provided with the necessary support, as well as appropriate cash rewards for surrendered weapons and ammunition, after contacting and reporting to nearby district and township administrative bodies, military camps or police stations. —100/ST
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