In what appears to be the latest move to fight fire with fire, the Burmese junta yesterday decided to form another civilian militia in every township in Rangoon to take on democracy activists.

A group of youngsters, calling themselves by an absurd name ‘the Best Fertilizer group’, in a note sent to the Burmese media exile said, authorities in Rangoon during an emergency meeting held on June 6, at Haling Tharyar Township, decided to form a new civilian militia.

According to the note, the new militia, to be formed in every township of Rangoon , will comprise the police, township peace and development council members, fire fighters, Red Cross members and civilians.

While the information given by the Burmese group could not be independently confirmed, reports suggest that the Burmese junta is launching a rampant crackdown on political dissidents under the banner of the ‘people’.

Last month, the 88 generation student group called on the junta to stop arresting, detaining and harassing peaceful protestors under the pretext of “people’s” will and also urged the junta-backed civil society groups such as the Union Solidarity and Development Association and the Swan Arr Shin, people’s militia, groups to stop being stooges of the junta.

Burmese authorities arrested several civilians last month, who staged protests demanding the release of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

According to the youth group, who could not be reached for confirmation, orders have been given to respective townships in Rangoon to form a new militia, which will have 50 members.

The militia will be led by the Township police in-charge as the commander. The group will comprise the Township chairman, the first member of the township council, six each from the Red Cross and fire brigade, and 18 each from the Township peace and development council and from among civilians.