It is reported that if recruitment quotas for military service are not met in the western townships of Bago Region, youth will be forcibly abducted to fulfill the required demand.
In the western part of Bago Region, local sources report that starting on April 20, approximately 50 young men from each of fourteen townships have been forcibly recruited and sent to military training. A person with close ties to the junta troops revealed that if the required number of recruits is not met in subsequent rounds, anyone found on the streets, regardless of age, will be abducted to fulfill the recruitment demands.
“It’s not like it was before. It won’t be called up like a second batch at our place. It’s like they’ll suddenly come and abduct people,” a source close to the local military junta told MPA.
Reports said that young men recruited for military service in the western townships of Bago Region were initially placed at the 66th Division base in Inma Town. They were subsequently sent to Fort Ba Htoo in southern Shan State for military training.
“It doesn’t have any young people anymore in our place. There are a lot of people who went to Thailand,” said a young man from Paungde who evaded military service to work in Thailand.
It has been reported that many young people from the western townships of Bago Region have fled abroad to avoid compulsory military service. Additionally, some have joined nearby PDF forces in defiance of the military service law.
On May 20th, local residents expressed concern following reports that new recruits would be drafted in the western townships of Bago Region.
The second batch of recruits for military service commenced on May 14th, following the first batch, which began on April 8th.
The western part of Bago Region includes the townships of Thayarwady, Letpadan, Minhla, Moenyo, Okpho, Gyobingauk, Zigon, Nattalin, Paungde, Shwedaung, Thegon, Paukkhaung, Pyay, and Padaung.