Since August 7, a joint force of junta soldiers and police has started searching for youths slated for recruitment in the wards of Kyaikto Township in Mon State, according to local residents.
Local media reported in late May that the military council plans to conduct door-to-door arrests of youths eligible for military service, as the administrative body has been unable to meet the recruitment targets set by the Mon State Recruitment Committee (Central).
Since August 7, military council soldiers have been searching for youths in South, North, Kwat San Naing, Taung Thu Su, Kant Kaw, and Zayar Mon wards in Kyaikto, as well as checking name lists, according to a local resident.
“Both soldiers and police enter the neighborhoods with lists of names, asking if the individuals and their households are present. They have not made any arrests yet but are continuing to search for those on the list. Many people included in the list have fled,” the local man said.
Local residents said that following the activation of the military service law, military council soldiers and some ward/village administrators have forced youths to enlist, causing many to flee their homes temporarily. The military has now resumed searches for those listed for recruitment.
Local residents reported that resistance forces have assassinated most of the 100-household heads and administrators in Kyaikto Township due to their involvement in recruitment and providing information to the military council. As a result, the remaining 100-household heads and administrators are now refusing to participate in the door-to-door searches for youths on the recruitment list.
A local man from Kyaikto said, “Ward and village administrators have either fled or resigned, citing health reasons. However, the military council has not accepted their resignations. The military lacks precise information on eligible youths for military service and is attempting to locate them using lists from the General Administration Department.”
According to a report by the Burma Affairs and Conflict Study (BASC), the military council typically trains recruits from Mon State at the No.4 Tatmadaw Advanced Training School in Wae Ka Li, Thanphuzayat Township. Approximately 400 youths were recruited for Batch 1 and Batch 2.
On 5 August, the military released documentary photos showing the commencement of Batch 4 training at the school. According to the information, around 150 recruits are currently undergoing military training.
Sent by KIC