The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) is compiling lists to recruit women as new conscripts in Hseni Township, alongside men, according to residents.
Amid rumors that the MNDAA might withdraw from Hseni Township, the group held a meeting with locals on 15 June 2025, demanding their cooperation in recruiting new conscripts for town security, residents reported.
Men aged 18 and above will be recruited as police personnel for town security, while women will be enlisted for administrative roles, a local resident explained.
“They told us to go by village tract. They haven’t specified when or what time we need to go. Our village track will have to send six people, and they said both men and women have to join.”
All wards and village tracts in Hseni Township are being asked to provide new conscripts for the MNDAA’s town security forces, according to local sources.
Similarly, in the town’s wards, the MNDAA has instructed each ward to provide two people for military service, said a woman from Hseni.
“I don’t know about other wards, but in ours, they’re asking for two people. They’ve held two meetings already, and it’s not over yet. They say they’ll hold another meeting. If we can’t get two people, they said they’ll come and take them themselves,” said the woman.
However, most residents are unwilling to join the MNDAA as conscripts, according to reports.
“Nobody wants to go and serve. They’re scared of dying. Last time, our village already sent three people. Now they’re asking again, but there’s no one left to send. People have already fled,” said another Hseni resident.
Earlier in June 2025, clashes between the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) and the MNDAA in Lashio and Hsipaw Townships heightened fears among local residents that new conscripts might be sent to the frontlines, residents said.
Since the start of “Operation 1027” in late September 2023, the MNDAA has controlled Hseni Township, alongside Chin Shwe Haw, making it one of the first towns seized during the offensive. The MNDAA reorganized the town’s administrative structure, expanding the original four wards to six and establishing a functioning local administration.
In addition, the town’s entrance bridge, damaged by an explosion during the offensive on the town, was repaired and rebuilt as a concrete structure by 29 May 2025, now allowing large cargo trucks to pass, according to reports.
Similarly, the MNDAA converted Hseni’s Basic Education High School No. 2 into a temporary hospital using medical supplies brought from Lashio General Hospital.
Efforts are now underway to renovate Hseni General Hospital to expand medical services, locals say.
Sent by Shan News.
