Rejoining Society: 40 armed group members rejoined society in Shan State

Forty members of various armed groups, including PDF, PNLO, DPLA, and KNDF, who accepted the peace initiatives of the State and Tatmadaw, returned to the legal fold on June 8th, surrendering weapons and ammunition.

The 40 returnees comprise seven from the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), seven from the Pekhon PDF, two from the Moebye PDF, 12 from DPLA, seven from KNDF, one from the PDF (southern Shan), and four from the Kyaukse PDF. They brough four M-16 rifles, one M-22 rifle, and one handmade launcher, totalling five firearms and one launcher, along with three magazines and 161 rounds of various ammunition along with them.

Officials welcomed the returnees at a handover ceremony held at the Thanlwin Hall of the East Command, formally reuniting them with their parents and guardians.

During the ceremony, Shan State Chief Minister U Sai Htein Soe, delivered the opening remarks, after which the Commander of the East Command BrigGen Kyaw Naing Oo, explained the relevant legal provisions.

The chief minister and the Commander then provided cash rewards and humanitarian assistance to the returnees. The Shan State government awarded totaling 33.5 million kyats for firearms, handmade launcher, handmade mines and individual cash reward.

Returnees signed formal pledges before being systematically handed back to their parents and guardians. A representative of the returnees then expressed gratitude to the authorities, after which the chief minister and the commander warmly greeted the attendees.