In Mon State, more ward/village administrators are resigning and going into hiding amid increased pressure from the military council to enforce the conscription, as well as relentless attacks and actions taken against them by resistance forces, according to local sources.
Currently, both the administrators appointed by the military junta and those by the previous government have submitted resignations, according to sources close to ward administrators.
In Kyaikto Township, although ward administrators have submitted the resignation letters, the military council has not accepted their resignations, forcing them into hiding. Only office assistants are now attending military council meetings, according to a source close to the administration team.
“They have submitted their resignations, but I’m not sure if the military council will allow them to resign. We haven’t seen the ward administrators in the neighborhood for a long time. They have gone into hiding. In the face of threats from both sides, even their subordinates are afraid to move. The military is summoning whoever they want,” the source added.
In Kyaikto, the resistance forces often target and shoot at people close to military council members, ward administration officials, and 100-household heads. More than 10 people have reportedly been killed in the first six months of 2024.
Similarly, in Ye Township, where the resistance is strong, there are no recruits for military service and administrators are unable to implement the draft. As a result, the military council is threatening to take action against the administrators, according to a Ye resident.
“In Ye Township, they can’t send many people for military service. Even if they do, it’s only one or two people. Because of this, many administrators have resigned recently. I think they (the administrators) are also under pressure from their superiors,” said the Ye resident.
Sources close to the administration say that administrators from various townships in Mon State have submitted their resignations due to pressure from both sides.
Meanwhile, ward administrators in Mawlamyine are reportedly collecting money from each ward, hiring substitutes for military service, mobilizing, and spreading propaganda, according to Mawlamyine residents.
According to a report by the Data for Myanmar – a research group – released on 22 March, the military junta, which is losing battles across the country, is implementing a mandatory military service law in 172 townships nationwide.
Sent by IMNA.