The police members and departmental staff under the military council are arresting youths in downtown Mawlamyine in Mon State, for the second batch of military training.
After 8 pm, the police members and departmental staff are arresting youths at the junctions and traffic light posts in downtown area, citing a suprise check. The detainees were rasomed and released.
On the evening of 28 April, six youths on a vehicle were sent to the recruitment center near Mon Cultural Museum. Those who cannot afford to pay money are recruited as soldiers for the batch-2 training, according to a person close to the military council.
ÒI don’t know where they were arrested at night. They (youths) are around 19-20 years old at most. They look good. They are wealthy. The junta soldiers arrested six people by car. This morning, the junta soldiers contacted the parents of detainees to pay ransom money for the release of detainees.
There have been such arrests in Mawlamyine since before Thingyan, and at least 20 young people have been arrested.
A parent from Mawlamyine said that he is worried as the ward administrators and 100-household heads sent notices to their homes, saying that they had won the military draft lottery to serve in the military.
“In some wards, the township general administration department (GAD), ward administrators and the municipal staff jointly are sending notification letters to some houses without drawing lots for the military service. That’s why we have to be careful not only at night but also during the day. They seized motorbikes and asked for money. The parents are concerned about their children. They get arrested if they can’t pay money immediately.”
Locals don’t go outside after 9 pm as the military council is arresting youths in downtown Mawlamyine.
The military council is giving training to more than 200 youths for the first batch of military training course at No.4 Tatmadaw Advanced Training School in Weakali village in Thanbyuzayat Township of Mon State, according to the report by Burma Affairs And Conflict Study (BACA).
Sent by IMNA