39 Members of Four Armed Groups Surrender to Myanmar GovtThirty-nine more members from four anti-government armed groups in Myanmar respectively laid down their arms to the government forces in four military command areas in February this year, official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.These members, who "exchanged arms for peace" with the government in the month, include those from the Kayin National Union (KNU), All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) and Lahu armed group. They brought along with them a total of 24 rounds of ammunition among others, the report said. The largest anti-government ethnic armed group KNU and the students' armed organization ABSDF are operating on the Myanmar-Thai border, while the Lahu ethnic armed group is fighting the government in Myanmar's Shan state. Meanwhile, in January this year, 30 other members from four anti-government armed groups surrendered to the government forces in seven military command areas, according to an earlier official report. Government statistics show that up to now, 17 anti-government ethnic armed groups as well as the Mong Tai Army, led by former drug warlord Khun Sa, have reached cease-fire agreements with the government. |
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