Myanmar’s military government – the junta – has decided to allow civilians loyal to the military to carry arms. In the news in the local media, it is said that there is an attempt to make it a private army.
It is assumed that the junta is going to arm the ex-soldiers and their supporting communities. It is alleged by the rebel groups that there is a plan to give them weapons to be used to fight the rebel groups against the military regime.
The document released to the media on 31 January has now become public. This document is said to have been issued by Myanmar’s Ministry of Home Affairs. It is mentioned that a person above 18 years of age can be given a permit to carry arms. They will get this license for their own security but it is said that they will get this facility only as long as they remain loyal to the government.
According to the Myanmar Times, the 15-page document from the military council’s home affairs ministry stated that it authorized the policy on January 31 based on a decision made during a December cabinet meeting. It outlined the types of firearms permitted as well as the eligibility criteria for those applying for licenses and permits, which have a one-year validity.
The move comes two years after the coup that overthrew Myanmar’s elected civilian government in February 2021. The junta faces a growing armed resistance movement led by decentralized defense groups nationwide operating independently or under the publicly mandated National Unity Government.
According to this document, now along with the security forces, groups, and militias fighting insurgent groups will also have the right to automatic rifles and submachine guns. But in order to get this right, if the government calls for ‘law enforcement activities’, they have to agree to the condition of following the order.
Plans to arm the pro-military militia Pew So Hati are understood. Militias are expected to be deployed to counter the armed insurgency that has spread across Myanmar. While critics say that this decision of the military regime may intensify the ongoing civil war in the country. Because of this, the atmosphere of violence in the country can take a serious form.
The document, reported in Myanmar media, has not been formally released by the country’s Ministry of Interior. But according to the report of the website NikkeiAsia.com, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior has confirmed the details given to the media in this regard. The spokesperson said that many citizens themselves have asked for weapons. Rebel groups with ties to the military have targeted many civilians.
According to analysts, Myanmar’s military government now prioritizes peace and order in the country. They want to signal the restoration of normalcy in the country before the August elections. As part of this effort, martial law was imposed in 37 of the country’s 330 cities on February 1. Now taking steps in the same direction, it has brought a plan to give weapons to citizens.
In Myanmar, the military seized power on February 1, 2021, and has since jailed elected representatives. Since then, the military government has faced widespread popular opposition in the country. Last year, there were armed uprisings in many parts of the country. Although the army has used all its power to suppress it, it has not been able to achieve much success in this direction.
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