The local Gheba ethnic community has said that it does not accept the recruitment of people under the name of “Gheba Army” by a military council-backed local militia and some ultra-nationalist leaders in Leiktho Sub-Township, Thandaunggyi Township, Karen State, allegedly for the benefit of the military.
The military council troops have been entering villages inhabited by the Gheba people in Leiktho area in the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 2 in Taungoo District since early January this year, claiming to persuade and recruit people to form a “Gheba Army”.
A member of the ethnic Gheba community, who asked not to be named, said: “Their actions are dividing our ethnic Gheba community. I have heard that it is only led by a small group of people. Even if they want to do it, there must be prior consultation and full explanation in every village. What I mean is that they should not use the name “Gheba Army”. What they are doing now is tarnishing the image of our entire Gheba ethnic group”
Members of the Gheba ethnic community in the area said they reject these actions by the military-backed group as they undermine the image and dignity of the Gheba ethnic group and sow division among the Gheba.
According to the residents, the recruiters have been luring the Gheba youths with incentives without the consent of the ethnic communities.
“They entered the villages without prior notification or a public meeting. If they were in the right, they should have approached every village openly. But now they are operating in secret. Kids will of course accept the incentives offered. But they don’t think about the consequences. The adults largely reject them,” the resident added.
The recruiters claim that they will provide rations including rice and 60,000 kyat to those who join the ‘Gheba Army’ and according to local sources, at least 100 people have already been recruited.
Another local woman said, “We are so ashamed that some are actually joining. It is sad to see our ethnic men stooping so low. But it is also sad that these children are simply misled by the incentives without understanding the consequences. There is no way we can accept this no matter what”
The elders of the local Gheba community have urged the youth to carefully consider whether the actions of these recruiters are righteous and whether they could harm their ethnic community before making any decisions.
The KNU is reportedly monitoring activities using the Gheba ethnic name in their territory and discussing possible action against those involved across their brigades.
Sent by KIC