CDF Prepares Cash And Transport For Myanmar Regime Soldiers Who Defected And Surrendered Arms

Burmese army illustration. (Twitter/@MyatWutYeeAung1)

JAKARTA - The Chinland Defense Forces (CDF) announced that it will provide a reward of 5 million kyat, or around Rp. 43,665,539, for soldiers of the Myanmar military regime who are willing to defect and surrender their weapons to the CDF.

In addition to cash, the CDF will also award safe transportation facilities to locations of choice for ex-soldiers. This announcement was issued by the CDF last Tuesday.

"We are not doing this because we are rich. This is what has to be done to weaken the military's arsenal. Let's just say we are giving back what we can to the people for their support," a CDF spokesman told Myanmar Now.

The Mindat-based branch of the CDF made a similar statement on Wednesday, saying it would welcome troops seeking to leave the junta, as well as help overthrow Myanmar's military dictatorship.

"We will reward the soldiers who gave up all their equipment with 5 million kyat, as well as arrange transportation for them to go wherever they want, even if it's another country," the announcement said.

About 20 troops in Chin State have surrendered to armed anti-coup resistance in recent weeks, a CDF spokesman said, adding that the number may be higher if defectors are not accounted for.

"Wednesday's statement was meant to reach out to others who wish to join us," a CDF spokesman said, adding the group wanted to make it easier for soldiers to leave the junta's armed forces.

Troops wishing to surrender are advised to contact the CDF in their respective areas, or to the spokesman for the group, whose telephone number is given in the announcement.

Last March, Reuters reported that some 280 Myanmar policemen fled Myanmar to India's northeastern Mizoram State, crossing the border from Chin State, after defecting from the Myanmar military.

To note, armed resistance groups in several townships of Chin State have fought the military, with intense fighting taking place in Mindat, Matupi, Kanpetlet and Hakha.

According to the CDF, the junta suffered several casualties in these clashes. Ten Myanmar soldiers including a lieutenant colonel and three CDF soldiers were reported killed in fighting on the Mindat-Matupi highway on 30 July.

The CDF also reported attacking the Myanmar M'kuiimnu police station in Mindat in July, with several military personnel including a captain, two soldiers and a number of police officers on their side.

The Myanmar Coup. The editor of VOI continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continue to fall. Readers can follow news about the Myanmar military coup by tapping this link.