Re-entering the Legal Fold : A total of 104 individuals entered into legal fold

A total of 104 individuals including 100 men and 4 women from members of ethnic armed organizations who have come to understand and accept the Government’s and the Tatmadaw’s peace processes, as well as members of groups identifying themselves as PDFs, have re-entered the legal fold along with their weapons and ammunition.

It is learned that these members from ethnic armed organizations and self-proclaimed PDF groups decided to return to the legal fold because they could no longer tolerate being forcibly conscripted, threatening, arresting, and killing innocent civilians and government staff for the benefit of terrorist groups, planting mines and destroying non-military targets such as civilian infrastructure, roads, and bridges, as well as the racial discrimination, class-based oppression, bullying, killings, and crimes committed within their own groups.

In addition, they had been living in poverty and hardship, had lost the morale to resist the Tatmadaw’s military operations, had come to believe and accept the Government’s and the Tatmadaw’s peace efforts, wished to live peacefully under the rule of law, and wanted to contribute positively to the Nation and people who had suffered losses and damage because of them.

First, a responsible official from the local military unit explained matters relating to regional stability and the rule of law. Next, those who had returned to the legal fold handed over the weapons they had brought with them, which were received by an official.

They were then provided rewards 50 lakh kyats per firearm for three guns (totaling 150 lakh kyats), and 3 lakh kyats per hand grenade for 12 grenades (totaling 36 lakh kyats) making a total of 186 lakh kyats, along with other supplies. Following this, the responsible officials had the returnees sign pledges of commitment and transferred them back into the custody of their parents or guardians.