The National Defence and Security Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held the meeting 3/2023 at the office of the State Administration Council Chairman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
The meeting was attended by Pro Tem President U Myint Swe, Vice-President U Henry Van Thio, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Defence Admiral Tin Aung San, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, specially invited SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe, Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, and Chairman of Kokang Self-Administered Zone U Myint Swe.
The Senior General first said that he would like to explain the current situations related to the events in Shan State (North). MNDAA insurgent groups primarily attacked Chinshwehaw of the Laukkai region on 27 October. Such an event was ordinarily attacked by MNDAA but it is related in history. In 2009, Special Region 1 led by Pheung Kya-shin was located in that area. They committed to producing and selling narcotic drugs and manufacturing arms and ammunition in the region. As such, Tatmadaw prohibited it from doing so.
But, as they did not follow the prohibition, the Senior General recounted he led the drug eradication operations. At that time, drug refineries and arms and ammunition factories were occupied and a large volume of narcotic drugs were also seized. As Tatmadaw eradicated narcotic drugs, Pheung Kya-shin and his group withdrew from that area. U Pei Sauk Chein and his group were temporarily assigned there to restore the Kokang region.
After the 2010 election, U Pei Sauk Chein was assigned as the Chairman of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone Leading Body. Pheung Kya-shin lived in Mongla of Special Region 4 after retreating. Later, he requested the government to give a pardon for him to be free from suits due to bad health. Although the government granted his requests with farsightedness for peace, he always led to making attempts against the government and resumed his control in the Kokang region whenever he had an opportunity. Current events were led by Pheung Tah-shwin, son of Pheung Kya-shin.
They produce narcotic drugs and develop their strengths through earnings from the narcotic drugs. In 2016 before the NLD-led government took office, Tatmadaw could effectively prevent the danger of narcotic drugs in Shan State (North). After 2017, drug production and trafficking boomed again in the Laukkai region in addition to other illegal activities, especially gambling dens. In such doing, those from the other country invested in the gambling works. After COVID-19, these gambling dens transformed themselves into online gambling operations.
At that time, Pheung Kya-shin and groups requested to resume their resettlements in the Laukkai region as Special Region 1 with the aim of recontrolling the region. There are Pheung and Yan groups.
Around 1998-1999, Pheung-Yan unrest happened there. Afterwards, clashes happened in the unrest and Yan Moe Lyian’s group was allocated in some areas at home. After 2009, they were not satisfied with the appointment of U Pei Sauk Chein and his group. So, they made preparations to launch attacks.
Primarily, Muse and Chinshwehaw are focal points for border trade. The Laukkai region is the city of Kokang Self-Administered Zone. MNDAA group launched attacks to resume their management. They started preparations for attacks in 2022. MNDAA group held talks with their allies several times to make preparations to attack. So, allies of the MNDAA group and all their friends knew it. The Senior General said he has invited all ethnic armed organizations to walk on the path of NCA, and Tatmadaw is walking on the path of NCA. While serving the State responsibilities, Tatmadaw emphasized solving the COVID-19 problems and unrest. So, Tatmadaw lessened its emphasis on the Laukkai region.
MNDAA insurgents wish to get profits from drug production and resume their influence, so these events happened. With regard to seizures of narcotic drugs in Laukkai and surrounding areas, there were 18 heavy drug cases from 2006, arresting 140 persons 82 times and seizing drugs worth K71.59 billion. Due to these benefits from drugs, the MNDAA group is attempting to occupy the Laukkai region.
In 2022, online scam cases boomed in the region. Such cases were committed by those from the hotels owned by citizens from the other country. A total of 153 hotels are located in Laukkai and Chinshwehaw. Among them, 12 hotels were built under the permission of the Myanmar Investment Commission. The remaining 141 hotels were built under the arrangement of the Laukkai Region Administrative Body without permission. Most of the hotels were invested by those from the other country. After 2018, the 12-13-storeyed high-rise buildings were constructed. within a year. Due to scrutiny, online scams and other illegal businesses are being done at these hotels. In taking action against these hotels, a total of 7,789 persons comprised 7,395 Chinese, 18 Vietnamese, 162 Thai, 32 Malaysian and two Laotians. Among them, 6,892 Chinese have been handed over to China. The remaining persons are under verification. In accord with the agreement with the Chinese Minister of Public Security to prevent online scams and illegal businesses in the region, task forces will be formed between the two countries.
MNDAA made preparations in the Wa region and its main strengths were deployed to attack Chinshwehaw via Namtit Bridge on 27 October. In the morning, they passed Namtit Creek and deployed excessive strength to attack Chinshwehaw. Security camps in the Laukkai and Chinshwehaw regions served duties of local security. They are not military operation camps. MNDAA used a large number of drones and dropped bombs in attacks. In the incident, MNDAA joined hands with KIA, TNLA and PDF terrorists. Mainly, the attacks were committed by MNDAA and TNLA groups. They attacked Chinshwehaw, and at the same time, they penetrated Kunlong with the infiltrated troops. TNLA interrupted the communication route to Hsenwi and disturbed Lashio with firing. They interrupted the Mandalay-Lashio communication route near Nawnghkio. When MNDAA was attacking there, KIA deployed excessive strength in attacking a small camp on the communication route to Kachin State. Tatmadaw responded to them. At present, the Tatmadaw can control there. MNDAA group faces a large number of casualties. Tatmadaw will carry out necessary responses to them.
MNDAA understands that the Muse and Chinshwehaw regions are of importance in border trade between Myanmar and China. So, an arrangement has been made that the new Kunlong Bridge built with the assistance of China will be commissioned into service on 11 November. As such, it is seriously noticeable for attacks of MNDAA on that region. Such an event can harm relations between Myanmar and China.
Officials from both sides solved the issue that bullets from Myanmar fell in China. Tatmadaw specially restricted military operations as that area is a border region. However, other organizations carelessly committed their acts and intentionally managed to cause the misunderstanding between the two countries. Moreover, they are causing injuries to ordinary civilians.
At a time when these events happened in Shan State (North), PDF terrorists attacked some areas of Sagaing Region. In this regard, PDF terrorists commit attacks together with KIA and AA groups. Such situations were submitted to the National Defence and Security Council. In Laukkai incidents in Shan State (North), MNDAA groups mainly used drones. These drones can be bought at the market and these drones are used for manufacturing in China. It can be seen that local people are not eager to participate in the events.
But, due to forced recruitment, some of them followed the group. The majority of the people’s militia is joining hands with Tatmadaw. Now, local people send information about MNDAA to Tatmadaw to effectively respond to them. MNDAA group is attempting to influence over the Laukkai region and to get Kokang State. TNLA group also makes attempts to get Palaung State whereas Kokang also tries to get Kokang State. People have been giving a helping hand to Tatmadaw recently. People from the townships under the state government and Yangon, Mandalay and military command areas donated cash and kind for Tatmadaw members at the frontline. These donated materials are being sent to the Tatmadaw members at the frontline. Charity groups also cook meals to be sent to Tatmadaw members at the frontline. The Senior General pledged to cooperate with the people in necessary response to them in order to ensure forging sovereignty, the rule of law, peace and stability of the regions and protection of life and property of the people.
Vice-President U Henry van Thio and Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat discussed peace and stability of the State, the rule of law, and providing humanitarian aid to displaced persons.
Vice-Senior General Soe Win reported on situations of clashes in Shan State (North), destructive acts of terrorist groups, and efforts of Tatmadaw to restore peace and stability in the regions.
Union Ministers for Defence, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Border Affairs and specially invited guests discussed attacks of armed insurgents and terrorists on small military camps, police outposts and fire stations in Northern Command, North-East Command, South-East Command and North-West Command, setting fire to government buildings, roads and bridges, collection of extortion from people of villages in some townships of Sagaing Region by PDF terrorist groups under NUG, brutally killing the people, cooperation between the people and Tatmadaw in effectively responding to terrorists and insurgents, promptly restoring the rule of law and peace and stability of the region, and opening of relief camps to protect the displaced persons.
In his clarification, the Senior General said that he underlined two main points on drug eradication and capacity enhancement for the Myanmar Police Force. Today’s problem in Shan State (North) was triggered by narcotic drug problems. Earnings from narcotic drugs were spent on seizing power through the armed struggle. Such a plan was covered by drug production and trafficking. They committed illegal businesses such as gambling. So, it needs to totally eradicate narcotic drugs, the root cause of the problem. To do so, it is necessary to enhance the capacity of MPF to manage stability and the rule of law. In this regard, police forces can be classified as two forces. One is the police force emphasizing community peace and tranquillity and the rule of law and another one is the armed police. Tatmadaw is primarily responsible for defending the State, but it participated in combatting internal insurgency according to the demand of the history of the country. So, it is necessary to improve the capacity of MPF. Coordination is being done to call back service personnel and people who evaded from the Chinshwehaw region. The Government pays attention to the China-Myanmar relations. Tatmadaw will continuously serve necessary security measures for ensuring peace and stability of the region, the rule of law and protection of life and property of the people.
Then, Pro Tem President U Myint Swe said that if the government does not effectively manage the incidents happening in the border region, the country will be split into various parts. So, it is necessary to carefully control this issue. As now is an important time for the State, the entire people need to support Tatmadaw. The stability can be restored to some extent due to the sacrifice of the lives of Tatmadaw in its defence duties. Today’s discussions were put on record, and the meeting came to an end. — MNA/TTA
