Mongton-based Infantry Battalion IB 65, eastern Shan State, opposite Chiangmai Province, has been training militia units in the township, according to sources on the border.
by admin — last modified 2009-02-27 10:32
Mongton-based Infantry Battalion IB 65, eastern Shan State, opposite Chiangmai Province, has been training militia units in the township, according to sources on the border.
By Hseng Khio Fah
27 February 2009
“It started out as a 10 day training from 16 – 26 February, but it is not over yet this morning,” said a villager.
There were over a hundred of militia members from Nakawngmu, Na Pha Yawng, Kunghsa and Hwe Aw village tracts, who are being trained on combat infiltration and tactics.
The training is being conducted at the battalion command post. The trainees include both new and experienced members.
The trainees will get a special card each after the course is finished. Those holding the cards will be allowed to do “everything,” said a source.
“The card holders can go anywhere and can trade in anything they want,” he said. “They only need not make it obvious.”
In the meantime, authorities from Monghta, opposite Chiangmai’s Wianghaeng District, has also been training the Hsankang militia unit.
There were over 40 trainees who will be similarly given special cards after the course.
The battalion has already trained one batch in early February, which was called the upgrading course, for 32 militia members (Shan- 6, Lahu – 16, Kokang – 10).
The trainees then had to practise with the wooden guns, said another source.
In early this year 2009, the pro-junta militia units were re-organized on township basis. Tin Win of Maeken was appointed as the head of all the militia units in Mongton Township and Ja Pikoi of Nakawngmu his deputy. http://www.shanland.org/
