Seven members of the armed forces defected to a civilian resistance group fighting against Burma's military regime in southern Chin State.



The police officers and soldiers, including a military captain, left their posts at a police station in Ma Kwi Ein Nu, Mindat Township, to join Chinland Defense Force (CDF), bringing their weapons with them.



A CDF officer told Khonumthung News after surrounding the police station on Saturday, July 24, that seven police and soldiers defected. “We told them it isn't good to shoot at each other and asked them to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).”



The other five police fled the station with their weapons after CDF arrived.



Capt Thein Hteik, Defense Service Academy's 55-intake, two soldiers and four police joined CDF.



Now that they part of the resistance, they can keep their vows to protect the people, the CDF officer said.



“We want what is best for our country, and it is something they also want, and so we welcomed them...There's still time for more police and soldiers to join the CDM. If they want to work for the country and protect the people, they can take their weapons and join us!”



Fighting between the military and CDF in Mindat resumed on July 21 after a temporary ceasefire expired.



Hundreds of villagers fled the recent violence, joining tens of thousands uprooted by earlier bouts since the conflict started in late May.



Ma Kwi Ein Nu is located on the Hsaw, Kanpetlet, Paletwa road, about 70 miles from Mindat town.