Swan Arr Shin (Masters of Force) (Myanmar (Burma))
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
284
|
| Country: |
Myanmar (Burma) |
| Date formed: |
May 29, 2003 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
year
|
| Details of Formation: |
The Swan Arr Shin (a.k.a. Phythu Swan Arr Shin) is first mentioned in May 2003, but there are no details when exactly it was formed. The PGM seems to be organized and created on the local level wherever it is necessary to fight people from the opposition, especially the National League for Democracy. |
| Date dissolved: |
March 30, 2011 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
month
|
| Details of Termination: |
After the new government led by President Thein Sein was sworn in on 30 March 2011, Swan Arr Shin was reportedly re-consolidated and formed as the People's Security Force. However, there is no evidence for this group and its activities. |
| Termination Type(s): |
change in government
|
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
| Government Relation: |
semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: |
yes |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
military
|
| Government Link(s): |
state (institution); military (institution)
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
None |
| Training and Equipment: |
yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
yes |
| Shared Personnel: |
no information |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
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 seems to be funded by Union Solidarity and Devel Assoc. to which it is closely connected. There are local reports in the end of 2014 and in 2015 that the Swan Arr Shin is active again but the evidence is very vague. |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The main function of the group was the suppression and breakup of protests, and the repression of political opponents generally. The group sometimes assisted the police in operations other than combating demonstrations. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
unknown
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
Civilians were attacked by the group, with protestors as the main targets. People were injured, intimidated, threatened, verbally harrassed and arrested by the PGM. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
beating
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no information |
| PGM Members Paid? |
yes |
| Reasons for Membership: |
|
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
The group was trained in riot control by the military and is reported to have been armed with sticks, brooms and hoes. |
Organisation
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.
Wikipedia. “Myanmar National Education Law 2014.” https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myanmar_National_Education_Law_2014&oldid=825816100
Wikipedia. “Saffron Revolution.” https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saffron_Revolution&oldid=827132280
Evidence
