People's Organization to take on People's Democracy Movement
Wed 28 Dec 2005
IMNA
The military government is systematically putting in place a strong people's organization to counter the democracy movement inside the country, according to a statement sent to the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC).

The name of the organization is “Sorn Arr Shin” meaning people's strength and there are many points describing how the organization was set up.

According to the description, “Sorn Arr Shin” has been formed with people who support the military government, which includes the Myanmar Red Cross members, Firemen troops, Myanmar Women Affairs Association members, Maternal and Child Welfare Association members, Retired Soldier's Organization members, Village Militias, and Union Solidarity and Development Association members. They are all over 18 years.

The organization's structure is similar to that of the military and it has battalions and troops. It is armed with batons to defend themselves, special rubber to shoot, helmets, uniforms, security cards, barbed wire, sticker and hand band.

The commanders of the organization are: Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman, Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) Chairman while the lower down commanders are TPDC members and VPDC members.

In each town “Sorn Arr Shin” has a thousand strong armed members and two battalions. In a battalion there are 300 members and 100 members of a village.

The intention of the organization is to stand up to any movement for democracy or uprising. If an uprising or a demonstration occurs, this organization's troops have to suppress the uprising by using arms provided to them.

The military government had succeeded in dividing the National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi and supporters in De Pe Yin during her trip in 2003 by using “Sorn Arr Shin.” At that time, many people were killed and many were beaten up by the “Sorn Arr Shin”.

Currently the military regime is systematically setting up “Sorn Arr Shin” and holds regular meetings. The junta is also providing military training for the village militia to support “Sorn Arr Shin” according to a village headman.

VPDC and TPDC have been ordered to keep their armed wing ready in the event of an uprising to check the movement and stop it.

In Mon State the military government started founding Sorn Arr Shin in 2003 and forced villagers to serve in the military. But most of the villagers avoided it and later the regime ordered its employees and family to join the military training.