The military junta arrested about 50 young people in the areas near the town’s university over two two days, residents report.
A combined force of the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and junta troops carried out the arrests on 2 and 3 April, around 7pm along University Road in Monyin town for two consecutive days, according to a local man.
“The young guy who owns the betel quid shop near the Ba Si tea shop was taken too. For two days now, they’ve been rounding people up around University Road. I heard that at the billiards hall, they dragged away both the owner and the people inside,” he said.
The arrested individuals include the owner of a betel quid shop on University Road, young people playing football at the Futsal field near the university in Ywathit Kone village, Nawng Sun ward, and Ashae Su ward, the man added.
While the junta and SNA forces have occasionally conducted surprise arrests in various locations within and outside Monyin town, this recent wave saw around 50 people detained within two days, according to local accounts.
Sources close to the SNA revealed that those arrested in recent days are being prepared to be sent to military training.
A local woman from Monyin noted that the frequent arrests of young people by the SNA-led joint forces have made movement increasingly difficult for youths and instilled fear among the local population.
“The people of Monyin are terrified because of the Shanni army’s recruitment drive. Young people are too scared to go anywhere,” she said.
Among those detained are middle-aged married individuals, though the majority are young people around 30 years old, according to statements from residents of the town.
Monyin town lies along the Myitkyina-Mandalay Union Highway and serves as the district administrative center. The region encompasses Monyin, Mogaung, and Phakant Townships, where the Shanni Nationalities Army and the Kachin People’s Defense Force (KPDF) are primarily engaged in military activities, sources say.
Residents also report that since the military coup, both sides of the armed conflict have frequently resorted to recruiting soldiers from the local population.
Sent by KNG.