Summary of News
- Acting President Duwa Lashi La Addresses the Public, Expresses Commitment to Ongoing Revolution Against Military Dictatorship
- Ministry of Commerce Hosts Graduation Ceremony for Diploma in Public Policy and Mini-MBA Programs
- ASEAN’s Complicity in Myanmar Junta’s Atrocities Through Counter-Terrorism Military Exercise in Russia
- MOWYCA Organizes Landmines and Explosive Weapons Risk Reduction Course
- Evacuation of Residents from Village Controlled by Junta-backed Pyu Saw Htee Militia in Pale Township Successful
- 15 Military Junta Soldiers Killed in Nyaunglebin Township’s Pazunmyaung Battle
- Sale of Land Plots for Federal Springs Project to Begin on October 7
1. Acting President Duwa Lashi La Addresses the Public, Expresses Commitment to Ongoing Revolution Against Military Dictatorship
On October 2, 2023, Acting President Duwa Lashi La conveyed a message to the public through Facebook, stating, “While we may not be able to meet every expectation simultaneously, we are diligently working to attain further successes in our ongoing revolution against the military dictatorship.”
2. Ministry of Commerce Hosts Graduation Ceremony for Diploma in Public Policy and Mini-MBA Programs
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Commerce conducted a graduation ceremony for the Diploma in Public Policy and Mini-MBA program on September 30, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
The Diploma in Public Policy and Mini-MBA programs were initiated on November 5th and 6th, 2022, as part of the Ministry of Commerce’s procedures, with classes taking place every Saturday and Sunday. The courses were successfully concluded on September 24th, 2023.
Union Ministers, Deputy Ministers, permanent secretaries, and secretaries from various ministries of the National Unity Government, the joint secretary and officials of the CDM Success Committee, members of parliament, officials from relevant departments, and the participants who completed the training attended the graduation ceremony.
During the graduation ceremony, speeches were given by Daw Khin Ma Ma Myo, the Union Minister for Commerce; Dr. Sai Khaing Myo Tun, Deputy Minister for Education; Dr. Oakar, the Joint Secretary of the CDM Success Committee; and Daw Kyi Pyar, the Permanent Secretary from the Union Prime Minister’s office.
A total of 45 trainees successfully completed the Diploma in Public Policy program, while 73 trainees completed the Mini-MBA program.
3. ASEAN’s Complicity in Myanmar Junta’s Atrocities Through Counter-Terrorism Military Exercise in Russia
Justice For Myanmar (JFM), a convert group advocating for justice and accountability in Myanmar, issued a statement highlighting that ASEAN’s provision of military exercise to the illegal Myanmar junta under the guise of “counter-terrorism” has further complicated ASEAN’s role in the military junta’s atrocities.
JFM highlighted this concern in reference to a report from a state-controlled Russian media source about a military exercise initiated in Russia as part of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, hosted by Russia and co-chaired by Myanmar junta.
Reports indicate that approximately 700 military personnel, comprising troops from India, China, Laos, Myanmar, and Russia, are taking part in the military exercise. This military exercise involves the deployment of motorised rifle units, the operation of T-80BVM battle tanks, crews handling 120-mm Sani mortar systems, the utilisation of unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopter crews, as well as crews responsible for Ka-52 “Alligator” helicopters and Su-25 “Rook” aircraft launching attacks with unguided aircraft missiles and bombs.
JFM highlighted that the ASEAN military exercise is bolstering the junta’s ability to utilise weaponry in its ongoing and widespread acts of violence against the people of Myanmar. Many of the weapons employed in this military exercise are already part of the Myanmar military’s arsenal, such as 120-mm mortars, battle tanks, and Russian attack helicopters.
JFM also noted that this act of ASEAN is turning a blind eye to the fact that the junta is carrying out indiscriminate aerial attacks against the people of Myanmar and civilian structures.
This joint military exercise held in Russia follows an earlier table-top exercise of the ADMM-Plus counter-terrorism experts’ working group organised in Naypyidaw from August 2-4, 2023.
4. MOWYCA Organizes Landmines and Explosive Weapons Risk Reduction Course
The Ministry of Women, Youths and Children Affairs (MOWYCA) of the National Unity Government (NUG), in collaboration with affiliated organisations, conducted a training programme on landmines and explosive weapons for the staff working on the ground on September 29. This programme aimed to enhance awareness of mine hazards and reduce the risks associated with them during armed conflicts.
According to the most recent report from UNICEF, in the first half of 2023, a total of 556 individuals lost their lives across the country as a result of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). This number represents a significant increase, standing at 143% of the total casualties reported in 2022, which was 390. Among these incidents, the Sagaing Region recorded the highest number of casualties, accounting for 40% of the overall figures.
5. Evacuation of Residents from Village Controlled by Junta-backed Pyu Saw Htee Militia in Pale Township Successful
The All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) Column 3 reported the successful evacuation of three families of eight people from Zee Phyu Kone village. This village is located in Pale Township within the Sagaing Region and has a strong presence of the junta-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia. The evacuation took place on September 25 after the residents reached out to the ABSDF, seeking assistance to leave the village because they felt that they could no longer endure residing in a village fully occupied by the junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia members. Military forces from the Light Infantry Battalion No. 703 (LIB 703) have been invading Pale Township since September 9.
Among the families that fled, there are three children under the age of 5, and the Pale Township People’s Administration Organisation (PAO/Pa-Ah-Fa) is presently providing care for them. The evacuation was coordinated by Yinmabin District People’s Defence Force (PDF) Battalion Nos. 3 and 19.
Pyu Saw Htee had resorted to deception and threats, spreading false information and intimidating the village residents. They falsely claimed that the PDF forces would arrest or harm civilians if they attempted to leave the village, instilling fear and discouraging residents from fleeing.
6. 15 Military Junta Soldiers Killed in Nyaunglebin Township’s Pazunmyaung Battle
A battle erupted at approximately 11:00 a.m. on October 1, 2023, near Pazunmyaung village in Nyaunglebin Township, Bago Region, involving military junta forces and a coalition of the Spring Warrior Column, PDF Battalion No. 3702, and the Royal Peacock Column, as reported by the Hpapun District People’s Defence Force (PDF) Battalion No. 1 (P27001), known as the Spring Warriors Column.
The battle reportedly resulted in the deaths of 15 junta troops and inflicted injuries on at least 10 others, including a military officer.
It was reported that following the battle, during the area clearance operation, a deceased junta soldier’s body was discovered, along with the confiscation of a firearm.
The terrorist junta forces also suffered casualties during the clashes near Pazunmyaung village on September 27 and 29.
7. Sale of Land Plots for Federal Springs Project to Begin on October 7
The sales of the land plots of the Federal Spring project, the most recent project of the End of Dictatorship (EOD), will begin on October 7, 2023.
Under the Federal Spring Project, approximately 300 acres of land plots for commercial and residential use will be developed on military-owned land near the Defence Services Technological Academy (DSTA) situated to the north of the Mandalay-Lashio Road in Pyin Oo Lwin. This land was acquired in accordance with legal procedures.
During the revolution period, only 40% of the initial down payment will be mandated, and this amount can be divided into three instalments to be paid over a three-month period. Moreover, a certificate of ownership will be issued to validate the initial ownership.
The outstanding 60 % can be paid in instalments at favourable interest rates over the course of five, ten, and twenty years when the project enters its implementation phase after the revolution has concluded. These post-revolution payments can be facilitated through both local and foreign banks, as stated by EOD.
Foreign nationals are also permitted to purchase plots of land and apartments under the EOD programme. In the post-revolution period, special decree laws will be established to ensure property ownership for foreign individuals, said the EOD.
The EOD has further assured that if, for any unforeseen reasons, the project cannot be executed, alternative land plots of equal or greater value at that time will be provided as replacements.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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