Definitions of militia, paramilitary groups

Paramilitary groups are civilian organizations which may or may not adopt military symbols but all assume or have tasks similar to those of the police or military forces. (Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, researcher with LIPI)

Semi-military groups are groups of civilians undergoing military-style exercises, usually carrying weapons such as clubs or swords, and performing tasks similar to that of the police or military forces. (Bambang Purnomo, professor of law at Gadjah Mada University)

Militia is a quasi-professional military. (Premanisme Politik, a book published by ISAI).

Militia is a military organization of citizens with limited military training, which is available for emergency service, usually for local defense. (The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1995)

Paramilitary forces include a growing number of diverse organizations that have adopted a military structure, follow military indoctrination and training methods, and largely perform ancillary military functions that approximate, but rarely duplicate, all of the tasks carried out by regular or professional military forces. (International Military and Defense Encyclopedia, 1993)