Junta troops are asking for three million kyats (MMK 3,000,000) each for those who do not join in the militia in some townships, Bago Region.
“Yesterday, they (junta staff) came home, including soldiers, and asked for our census paper. They asked that who the head of the household was and noted all the males in the paper on a piece of paper. I asked them what they would do with that, but didn’t answer. This morning, they took a picture in front of my house and went to the governor’s office to ask what for, and it said that it was working to form a militia,” a woman from Ward 6, Thamein Bayan Steet, Bago City, told MPA.
He continued to explain that the local people are worried because the military junta is collecting names and taking pictures of their homes, and those who don’t want to join the militia must pay MMK 3,000,000 each.
“They ask for money from people in the city and towns because they can afford money. On the area of our villages, they ask for 20 militiamen per village, and some are asked for about 30. Depending on the population of the village, they are asking for people (to serve in militia),” said a man from Pharyargyi village, Paungde Township.
“The army (junta) is in need of manpower, so they release criminals and recruit them as new soldiers. Then they gather people in towns and villages to form militias. If people don’t join it, they ask for money. Villages that oppose them are burned down,” said a man from Ward 6, Bago City.
Men between the ages of 18 and 55 are being forced to join the militia. In Bago Region, some people are fleeing because they are forced to join the militia by lot in villages, according to locals.
Editor: Ko San
Translator: Zin