Local military sources report that the Pa-O National Army (PNA) has told IDPs in Pinlaung Township in southern Shan State that they can only return to their villages if they enlist for military service.
Although fighting in Hsawng Pyaung village in Pinlaung Township in Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State has ceased for about a month and a half, IDPs have been told that they can only return to their villages if they sign up for military service.
A displaced villager from Hsawng Pyaung said, “They don’t say they’ll call us up for military service immediately. They want us to sign that we’re willing first. Who would want to sign if they aren’t willing?”
According to the displaced locals, the signed list of names must be submitted to the PNA officials via the village head by the end of August. Not everyone will be called up at once, but the training will take place in batches.
While military service in Hsawng Pyaung village is for men between the ages of 18 and 40, a female villager who now lives elsewhere said the PNA used to recruit well-built children under the age of 18.
“I’m relieved that I’ve put all my children to flight. In our village and other villages, they recruited people even if they were underage because of their physique. If you’re of age, they don’t pay attention to your physique. But if you’re well-built, they recruit you regardless of your age,” she said.
Currently, farmers want to return home during the growing season to tend to their crops, but they flee and hide because of the conscription, villagers said.
In Hopong Township, the military junta and the PNA troops have also confiscated civilian vehicles, collected taxes, recruited and arrested people for military service and forcibly sent them to the frontline. This has caused concerns among the residents of Pinlaung.
In addition, in October 2022, there was an incident in Hsaung Pyaung village, Pinlaung Township, where the PNA shot at a car belonging to a company that had not paid protection money, accusing it of being a People’s Defense Forces (PDF) vehicle.
Sent by NMG.