The number of police officers and soldiers defecting from the military council has been rising in Pwint Phyu and Salin Townships in Magway Region since October, according to local residents.
In October alone, nearly 10 police officers and soldiers defected. Local residents say that the rise in defections may be connected to attacks by the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) on the Pathein-Monywa road section.
According to sources close to the military council, the defected individuals include two sub-inspectors and one police member from Pwint Phyu Township, two police members from Maezali Police Station, three members—including one corporal—from the Cotton Plantation Battalion, and two police members from Aingma in Salin Township.
The defected police and soldiers did not join the PDFs, said a member of the information department from Minbu District No.7 Battalion.
While all the others who fled managed to escape, the sub-inspector from Pwint Phyu Police Station was re-arrested and imprisoned.
Local residents report that several armed clashes took place between the PDFs and the military council along the Pathein-Monywa road in August and September, leaving approximately 20 junta soldiers dead and nearly 20 others wounded.
Sent by Than Lwin Times
