The Bo Tiger People’ Defence Force (PDF), an anti-regime group based in Sagaing Region’s Wetlet Township, has called on Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) to intervene in a dispute with another PDF group.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Bo Tiger PDF—which is not part of the PDF established last year by the NUG—said that the Shwebo District PDF had threatened it with “elimination” following a clash last week.
That incident, which stemmed from accusations that the Bo Tiger PDF was demanding money from travellers passing through the township, resulted in the deaths of two of its members, the statement said. Twelve more were injured and several others were captured, it added.
The group said it filed a formal complaint last Thursday, a day after the attack. It also vowed to refrain from retaliating while the incident is being investigated, but said that it would fight back if provoked.
Myanmar Now attempted to reach Kyar Gyi, the leader of the Bo Tiger PDF, for comment, but a member of the group said that he was unavailable due to illness.
The commander of Shwebo District PDF Battalion 2, which is based in Wetlet Township, said that no action has so far been taken by the NUG.
“We only did what we did because there were complaints about Kyar Gyi’s group. If they believe they are right, they can come and take legal action against us and we will let their people go,” he said.
He added that the action against the Bo Tiger group had actually been taken by a local defence force, with the Shwebo District PDF merely providing backup.
“We had no intention of attacking them in the first place. We only fired back after they started shooting at us,” he said.
At the time of reporting, the captured Bo Tiger members were still being held in custody. According to the Shwebo District PDF commander, “necessary actions” would be taken against them by the township administration team.
Myanmar Now was unable to reach Naing Htoo Aung, the secretary of the NUG’s Ministry of Defence, for comment. The ministry is responsible for all PDF groups under the NUG’s command, including the Shwebo District PDF.
The leader of another anti-regime group based in Wetlet Township said that he regretted the outbreak of hostilities among resistance forces.
“There was no reason to attack the Bo Tiger group, even if it was in the wrong. Every member matters at this moment. This could destroy entire organisation,” he said, adding that the Bo Tiger group had played an important role in a number of operations.
