Monks from the ultra-nationalists Ma Ba Tha group are said to be leading a campaign to encourage civilians living in People’s Defence Force (PDF) strongholds to crack down on the activity of resistance groups by joining militias led by ordained Buddhists, reports DVB.

Monks from the Yadanar Kan Myint Htale Monastery were reported to be armed with handguns and automatic weapons whilst leading talks in Sagaing’s Tangse township on 27 February.

The State Administration Council (SAC) recently announced that it had provided 2,080 weapons to 77 paramilitary groups, the news agency reports.

PDF groups have arisen in many areas of Myanmar in the wake of the military coup, with most groups pledging allegiance to the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) formed to stand in for the elected civilian government.