Since 3 August, a military council-backed people’s militia force has ramped up its recruitment of new soldiers in Chipwi and Pang War in Kachin State, local residents said.
The people’s militia led by U Bum Lang, from Pang War in Chipwi is carrying out arrests of passersby on Myitkyina- Chipwi – Pang War road. The militia force also is carrying out the arrests and recruitment of young people from the mining site, said Chipwi local residents.
“The people’s militia has increased its recruitment efforts. Now the youths don’t dare go outside any longer. The militia is enlisting new members at all mining sites. Recently, they recruited six youths from a mining site about six miles from Chipwi.
The militia force is recruiting the youths on the roads and also is conducting door-to-door enlistments, he added.
On 29 July, the people’s militia recruited six youths working at a rare earth mining site located about six miles from Chipwi. And they also abducted four more youths at the junction of Phi Hmaw and Pang War, Chipwi residents said.
On 5 August, the people’s milita abducted two youths from the rare earth mining site in Pang War, local residents added.
The recruitment by the militia force mainly targets Kachin youths. The militia force is sending recruits to Myitkyina, Chipwi locals said.
“I think the surge in recruitments is intended to reinforce the troops and send them to the frontlines as the military council faces significant losses. The recruited youths are sent to Myitkyina and are transported by passenger buses every other day or every two days,” he said.
Recently, junta soldiers have been patrolling Chipwi town with military vehicles after 10 pm, local residents said.
Sent by KNG