Local residents said that in early June, the Banmauk Township People’s Defense Force (PDF) held a meeting and demanded that each of six villages in southern Banmauk Township, in upper Sagaing Region, provide 10 soldiers.
These villages include Narleinkar, Mankin, Minkone, Segyi, Pein Hne Kone and Pintsinte.
A southern Banmauk resident, speaking on condition of anonymity said, “After the meeting, they demanded that each village provide up to 10 people. However, the villagers said this was too many and that they couldn’t meet the request. In response, PDF leader Lin Naing warned during the meeting that if they didn’t comply, he would go door to door and forcibly recruit people.”
The resident said that although there had been previous recruitments of new soldiers, negotiations were possible and the number of recruits per village had not been as high as 10 like it is now.
According to someone who attended the meeting, this time, no negotiations would be accepted, and if the new recruits were not provided by the end of June, the group warned that they would conduct house-to-house arrests at night.
He said that the NUG has been in control of the southern part of Banmauk for more than two years, and that there has been no fighting so far.
Some locals believe that this sudden demand for new recruits is linked to the ongoing fighting with the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) in the northern part of Banmauk and reflects an increased need for manpower.
Additionally, rumors circulate in Banmauk that joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the PDF are preparing to launch an attack to capture the town, with clashes frequently occurring within two miles of the town.
Indaw Township, located east of Banmauk Township, and Pinlebu Township, to the south, were captured by joint forces of the National Unity Government (NUG), KIA, and PDF in 2024 and 2025.
Sent by Shanni Voice