The military council has asked for the highest number of recruits from the most war-affected Hsihseng in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State, citing that 10 people were selected in the draft lottery, according to residents.
Even in the second week of September, the military council did not draw lots in the remaning wards. The military council conducted a draft lottery for up to 10 people in Myakanthar ward which has been hardest hit by the conflict, said Hsihseng residents.
A family member of one of the draft lottery winners said, “We can’t return home even though people are being recruited. We don’t understand how these selections are made. Last month, the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) recruited people, and now it’s the Burmese army. As Pa-O people, we don’t know who to trust for our safety. What kind of parents would allow their children to take a path that is certain to lead to death?”
Myakanthar ward is adjacent to Light Infantry Battalion-424 in Hsihseng town. Residents have fled the ward due to frequent airstrikes and shelling during two separate incidents of fighting.
In addition, the residents are facing difficulties as they have no money to return home. They say that they are difficult to hire someone to serve as a substitute for military service.
A Hsihseng resident close to the Pa-O National Army (PNA) said: “Most of the people from Myakanthar ward are daily wage earners. They earn their livelihood by gathering mushrooms, collecting bamboo shoots, and working in masonry. They are not well-to-do people, so they cannot afford to contribute money. The junta and PNO have confiscated land in Region-5.”
In the second week of August, PNA troops attempted to shoot a mentally-ill person in Myakantha Ward, accusing him of being a PDF. The young man is a relative of PNA head. He was recruited, said the source.
In addition, all the households in Myakantha Ward sent rice packets to PNA every day throughout August, residents said.
In Myanmar, except for Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions, most of the regions and regions are facing two types of disasters: floods or conflict, and Hsihseng Township is facing both flood and war, and they are in need of more assistance.
Sent by NMG