NAYPYITAW, 12 August 2021, (TON): The Chinland Defence Force (CDF) announced that they will be rewarding soldiers defecting from the Myanmar military with 5 million kyat (around US$3,000) in return for “standing with the people” and handing over their arms to the anti-dictatorship resistance.

In exchange for surrendering their weapons, ex-soldiers will receive a cash reward and safe transportation to the location of their choice, according to the CDF.

A CDF spokesperson told media “we’re not doing this because we’re rich. This is what must be done to weaken the military’s arms strength. Think of it as us giving back what we can to the people for their support.”

The Mindat-based CDF chapter made a similar statement, saying that they will welcome troops who wish to leave the junta and help overthrow the military dictatorship.

The announcement said “we will be rewarding the soldiers who surrender all of their equipment with 5 million kyat, as well as arranging transportation for them to go where they want, even if it’s another country.”

Around 20 soldiers in Chin State have surrendered to the anti-coup armed resistance in recent weeks, the CDF spokesperson said, adding that the number may be higher if there are defectors who have not been accounted for. The CDF has arranged safehouses for some and others are reportedly fighting alongside them against the coup council’s forces.