Lack of unity among new splinter Mon armed group

Mon 23 Jun 2008
IMNA

Lack of unity among new splinter Mon armed group', '2008-06-23', ' Fissures have surfaced and unity has suffered in the new splinter Mon armed group, led by former New Mon State Party Army Chief Maj-Gen Aung Naing after a senior leader of the group resigned.

Captain Blaing Sorn recently circulated a statement to some Mon community leaders in Mon state about his resignation because Maj-Gen Anug Naing would not give him a chance to do business and for not agreeing to Col. Pan Nyunt joining them.

According to his statement, Maj-Gen Aung Naing had usurped all powers and he did not want to continue working with him. Maj-Gen Aung Naing was also accused of corruption in land deals near Three Pagoda Pass.

Maj-Gen Aung Naing, however, dismissed Blaing Sorn because of corruption and for disobeying the group''s orders. The six-point dismissal order said Captain Blaing Sorn had rudely threatened local people in the Gyaing River area, Kawkareik Township Karen State.

The new splinter Mon armed group is negotiating with the military government for business opportunities and has promised the regime that it would participate in the elections.

The group is trying to register with the military government in the name of Mon National Peace Party (MNPP). The military junta gave two buses to the group in the Myawaddy border point.

The group split last March after Maj-Gen Aung Naing went to Rangoon for medical treatment. During his treatment, he negotiated with some military regime officials in Rangoon.

After the split about 15 New Mon State Party members joined Nai Aung Naing including Captain Blaing Sorn.

Blaing Sorn was a former Major in the Hongsarwatoi Restoration Party (HRP). Later he joined the NMSP in December 2002 through Nai Aaung Naing with his troops in Three Pagoda Pass.