Junta’s ‘people’s security system’ to arm civilians at ward, village levels

By Admin 27 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
27 August 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has announced what it is calling a “people’s security system,” which will train and arm civilians at ward and village levels for “stability.”

The people’s security system is reportedly intended to counter some ethnic armed organisations and People’s Defense Force (PDFs) that the regime has accused of disrupting peace and stability, killing innocent civilians, and cutting off transportation routes through explosives and other means.

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing said during a visit to Mandalay on Monday: “[The people’s security system is being introduced] as a long-term solution in consideration of the security of the lives and property of the people, regional peace and stability, and safety of transportation.”

Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun in an interview with BBC said the regime would implement the so-called people’s security system as early as possible, and supply necessary weapons to recruits.

Political analysts described the junta’s latest move as a desperate attempt to replenish the ranks of a military seriously depleted by daily clashes with anti-regime groups over the past three years.

Political analyst U Than Soe Naing said: “The regime has been suffering heavy defeats, and tens of thousands of junta soldiers have surrendered, been killed or injured. The Myanmar military has been seriously depleted. So, it is forcibly recruiting people across the country by giving various excuses. Everyone knows what move the regime is making.”

Other observers called the move a junta attempt to further complicate the situation by deliberately spreading weapons.

One Arakanese woman activist said: “This is clear. The regime is doing this to worsen the conflicts in the society. Even if defeated, it plans to leave weapons among the people. It is a very vicious trick.”

In February, the regime introduced mandatory military service of two years for men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27. It also activated the Reserve Force Law, allowing it to send veterans to the frontline.

In Ann Town and Sittwe Township in Arakan State, the regime is forcibly recalling veterans back to active duty.

The regime has continued to lose territory as the conflict zone has expanded across the country in the aftermath of the 2021 coup.