People's Militia (Myanmar (Burma))
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
132
|
| Country: |
Myanmar (Burma) |
| Date formed: |
Aug. 15, 1983 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
year
|
| Details of Formation: |
In March 1983, a possible foundation of the people’s militia is reported but it became first active in August 1983. It is unclear which institution was the initiator, but sources report that it was formed by army forces, who started recruitment in villages along the Bangladesh border. |
| Date dissolved: |
Unknown |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
day
|
| Details of Termination: |
Still in existence in 2014 |
| Termination Type(s): |
none
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
no |
| Former Armed Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
| Other Information: |
The group is referred to as an auxiliary to the official armed forces, among others, including the Myanmar Police Force and Frontier Forces. The group was apparently involved in drug trafficking. |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The group was formed as part of the official armed forces’ effort to mitigate security threats from internal and external attacks. It was to be used as a threat to intimidate and deter insurgents from attacks. Other functions were gathering intelligence, identifying and arresting insurgents and guarding the border. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
unknown
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
According to reports by Human Rights Watch, the group was responsible for serious abuses. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
unknown
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
yes |
| PGM Members Paid? |
no information |
| Reasons for Membership: |
There was a legal provision for the forcible recruitment of members if it was deemed necessary by the president. |
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
News sources state that the group was trained by the military. |
Organisation
| Organisation: |
From 1990 to 2012 the group was led by T Khun Myat. It was under the control of the army, and specifically the army Chief of Staff (after 2002). However, a report states that the government was not able to effectively control the PGM. The group carried out joint operations with the armed forces and the people’s police force. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Human Rights Watch. 2011. “Burma: Q & A on an International Commission of Inquiry.” March 24, 2011. https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/03/24/burma-q-international-commission-inquiry
Human Rights Watch. 2007. “Repression of the 2007 Popular protests in Burma.” December 6, 2007. https://www.hrw.org/report/2007/12/06/crackdown/repression-2007-popular-protests-burma
Human Rights Watch. 2010. “Universal Periodic Review Submission: Myanmar (Burma).” July 1, 2010. https://www.hrw.org/news/2010/07/01/universal-periodic-review-submission-myanmar-burma
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.
Wikipedia. “T Khun Myat.” https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=T_Khun_Myat&oldid=833014462
Wikipedia. “Tatmadaw.” https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tatmadaw&oldid=831647296
Evidence
