Burma Army’s (BA) Triangle Regional Command (TRC) has compiled a list of People’s Militia Forces (PMF) soldiers to bolster its strength in Shan State, where it’s fighting ethnic armed organisations and People’s Defence Forces.

“Since there are many PMF members in Tachileik, the leader of the Triangle Regional Command has instructed us to make a list and send them soldiers who can work with Burma Army,” a PMF leader in Tachileik town told SHAN. He said they haven’t yet sent any names or men to the Tatmadaw.

The PMF, which has long served the needs of the military, is twice the number of police officers in Tachileik Township. BA has instructed PMF leaders to send between 10 and 20 men to serve under TRC.

According to the source, there are about 1,500 militiamen serving under 35 PMFs in Tachileik District. Some of them are stationed along the Mekong River, while others are only protecting their area or village.

According to an activist in the border town on the Thai border, BA has given food rations to local PMFs. “Burma Army will consider their own interests first” but the PMF leaders must also think of the peoples’ interests, the activist said.

Maj Gen Myo Min Tun, commander of TRC, met with PMF leaders at a military hall in Tachileik on Sunday September 19. Through Lau Tar, who leads the Loi Taw Kham PMF, he delivered the food rations for the militias.

BA has already ordered PMFs based in northern Shan State to send them fighters.