28 anti-gov't armed members surrender in Myanmar

A total of 28 members from some four anti-government armed groups and individuals in Myanmar laid down their arms to the government forces in the last three months, a state-run newspaper reported Wednesday.

These members, who "exchanged arms for peace" with the government between May and July this year, include those from the Kayin National Union (KNU), Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), led by Ywet Sit, Chin National Army (CNA) and All Burma  Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), the New Light of Myanmar said.

They brought along with them a total of 279 rounds of ammunition among others, it said.

Since last year up to July this year, a total of 278 such various group members surrendered to the government, according to official statistics.

Of the four groups, the SSA-S and the ABSDF, were declared on last weekend by the government as unlawful associations along with two other anti-government organizations -- the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) and the Federation of Trade Union - Burma (FTUB).

These organizations were outlawed for endangering the country's law enforcement, stability and peace and tranquillity, the government said.

Meanwhile, 843 members of the Palaung State Liberation Army (PSLA) and three brigades (over 600) of the Shan State National Army (SSNA), which reached ceasefire agreements in 1991 and 1995 with the government respectively and had been permitted to retain arms, also surrendered their weapons to the government in the first half of this year.

Since the government adopted a policy of national reconciliation in 1989, 17 anti-government armed groups have made peace with the government, returning to the legal fold under respective ceasefire agreements.

Source: Xinhua