Nay Pyi Taw September 20
As they are vital areas for the country, the regiment headquarters have been deployed and set up there since the time of the Tatmadaw government. Without the regiment HQs, the situation of the areas can become worse. The gallant efforts to defend the HQ against the terrorist attacks and brilliant efforts to restore regional peace and security are honoured, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at his meeting with officers, other ranks and families of the regional battalion in Taungbaza Village this evening.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing accom-panied by Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Khin Aung Myint and senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, arrived at multiple farm of Regional Control Command Headquarters (Sittway) this morning. The commander of the control command and officials conducted the Senior General and party around Novogyn (Brown) layers and DYL pigs farms and one-acre-plot rice cultivation.
The Senior General spoke of the need to ensure sanitation and animal health at the farms, apply better means in extending DYL pigs breeding, successfully breed milk cows and local cattle, use natural fertilizers in preparing one-area rice plots as the upper layer of the soils can be lost in the process, ensure year-round availability of rare fruits and vegetables through greenhouse cultivation, extend agriculture and farming to produce till the surplus can be sold to the locals.
In the afternoon, the Senior General and party left Shwemingan jetty in Sittway for Buthidaung by high-speed watercrafts. They arrived at Buthidaung jetty in the evening and were welcomed by No.1 Border Guard Control Command Commander Police Brig-Gen Thura San Lwin, Maungtaw District Administrator U Ye Htut and officials.
The Senior General and party arrived in Taungbaza Village in Buthidaung Township and met cordially with Tatmadaw members and families of the local battalion at the battalion hall.
At the meeting, the Senior General said as this area was a British colony over 100 years ago, we are facing the consequences of their reckless acts till now. At that time Bengalis from Bengal region were conveyed into the country without any restrictions. Later the Bengali population exploded and the aliens tried to seize the land of local ethnics. The 1942 Alethakyaw crisis is the worst in history. Even during the post-independence era, the Tatmadaw had to crush the Mujahidin insurgents. Recently, Rakhine region conflict in 2012 and 2016 October terrorist attacks broke out in the area.
During the 25 August incident extremist Bengali terrorists used superior manpower in launching synchronized terrorist attacks against 30 police outposts and the headquarters of an army battalion. According to the information exposed in connection with the incident, the attacks came out from an advanced plot involving over 4,000 terrorist Bengalis. Before the incident Tatmadaw units had to launch area clearance operations because of the terrorist training courses conducted on Mayu mountain range, and terrorist attacks and brutal murders. As the local army unit at Taungbaza gallantly fought back a large number of terrorists, all the officers, other ranks, soldiers’ wives are honoured and documented. Especially the wives of the soldiers were honoured once more for their maternal spirit to protect the family and children and their inborn courage to sacrifice for the family. Similar honourable deeds were also seen in areas in northern Shan State and Laukkai region and Northern Command area. It is the result of the basic military training given to the soldiers’ wives and families at army unit HQs. These honourable deeds stand witness to the fact that rearguard officers and other ranks and wives at the battalion HQs can successfully ward off the enemy surprise attacks as the reserve forces.
The Senior General then said collective efforts must be made to protect the minorities of Buthidaung/Maungtaw region such as Mro, Khamee, Thet and Daingnet. Area peace and stability and area control duties must be seriously carried out from the immigration point of view. In checking thecases in which Bengalis trying to sneak into the country through various means were seized involvement of some officials were found. Race cannot be swallowed by the ground but only by another race. All must be loyal to the State in serving their duties, so that such cases will never happen again. The 1982 Citizenship Law is not just for the Rakhine State crisis, its covers the whole country. So, all must do their work with loyalty. The unit should further brighten its honour and dignity through collective efforts.
After the meeting, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presented foodstuff, and the Senior General’s wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla foodstuff and cash assistance for the battalion maternal and child welfare association. Later, the Senior General and party cordially conversed with officers, other ranks and families.
