By Ra Wai / MPA
The Myanmar military has forcibly conscripted more than 200 residents from Monywa Town over the past three days, according to local sources.
The military junta has forcibly recruited more than 200 residents of Monywa Town, Sagaing Region, between Jan.25 and Monday. As of Friday, arrests and forced conscriptions were still ongoing, according to Eagle Information Operator.
An official from Eagle Information Operator, a social media page focused on Monywa news during the Spring Revolution, told MPA, “We can confirm that over 200 individuals were forcibly recruited between Jan. 25 and 31. Arrests continued beyond that period, but we cannot verify the exact number, as junta troops are conducting raids across the entire town.”
Previously, families could reportedly pay bribes to secure the release of detained individuals. However, the junta now only releases children while keeping working-age individuals to serve as medics for wounded soldiers or assist in food preparation.
Monywa has become increasingly deserted due to the junta’s mass recruitment, with troops seizing anyone they encounter. Most shops in the town now close by 3 p.m. out of fear of robbery and looting.
A political activist in Monywa said the junta is carrying out these arrests to fill training quotas for the 10th batch of mandatory military service recruits.
“The junta did the same in Yangon when they needed trainees for the 9th batch. Now, they’re targeting Monywa for the 10th batch. As recruitment numbers decline in future batches, they will continue these mass arrests. It’s time for young people in junta-controlled areas to make a decisive choice for their lives and futures,” he stated.
The commander of Monywa The Boy, a special commando unit from No. 4 Battalion of the People’s Defense Force – Monywa (PDF-Monywa), advised civilians to leave the town and seek refuge in nearby liberated areas.
A resident of Thar Lar Ward in Monywa said that since Jan.25, only a few people venture out in the mornings for work or to visit markets.
“Some people have no choice but to work for their survival. In the evening, there are still a few people on the streets after office hours, but for the rest of the day, the town is empty. Even the pubs—places that are always bustling at night, no matter the situation—are completely deserted after sundown,” he said.
He added that junta troops have been making arrests in broad daylight, as there are fewer people to detain at night.
A resident of Htan Taw Ward reported that nighttime raids are still occurring in certain areas.
“Junta troops conduct raids at night in some wards, arresting anyone caught outside. I’ve even heard reports that they’ve started entering homes on the outskirts of town to detain people, though I can’t confirm this firsthand,” he said.
As forced recruitment intensifies, Chindwin Attack Force, No. 4 Battalion of PDF-Monywa, has launched a recruitment drive with the slogan: ‘Will you be forcibly recruited by the junta or fight for the people?’
