Formation of people militia forces will still remain according to the defence policy of a country, said Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Myint Nwe of the Ministry of Defence.
Lower House MP Mi Kon Chan representing Paung Constituency raised a question to the regular session of Second Lower House Parliament in Nay Pyi Taw on September 11 why militia forces were formed in the villages in the regions and states and which organization would take responsibility for them.
“Militia forces are formed in every country according to defence policy. The Constitution states the strategic implementation of people militia. According to the defence policy, we continue forming people militia forces,” said Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Myint Nwe.
People militias are production and social forces in time of peaceful situation in the country. They are the ones who are safeguarding the villages in the townships. In the face of the wars, they are the security ones who are engaged in fighting and defending in cooperation with Tatmadaw. Under the supervision of Tatmadaw (defence services), people militia forces are formed according to the military requirement in the major places, said Maj-Gen Myint Nwe.
Battalions and units under control of respective military commands form people militia, and give trainings to them and they equip them and assign duty to them. They are controlled by the director of People Militia and Border Forces, said Maj-Gen Myint Nwe.
Lower House MP Mi Kon Chan representing Paung Constituency said that it was learn that people militia forces were formed in 1976-1977 in the time of People Council in Myanmar. They were to take security in the villages. The youths of today do not know the aim of the formation of people militia forces. As far as we know, people militia forces were formed in the areas where insurgency broke out. There are 6,050 people militia forces across the country. One group has 20 to 60 members. There are 28 villages with people militia forces in Paung Township. There are 46 arms and 7,513 bullets. People militia forces are to safeguard life and property of the people. As far as we know now, people militia forces in the southern Shan State are linked with smuggling of narcotic drugs and timber smuggling.
She added that if people militia forces are given equipment and authority, social conflicts and corruptions will appear at any time.
Translated and Edited by Win Htut
