Local residents report that the military forces have forcibly detained youth from Letpanpi and Kyanbo villages in Nyaunglebin Township, Bago Region, while disguised in civilian clothes. The incident occurred on the evening of May 7, when at least 12 young people were arrested and taken to military recruitment units. The military entered the villages using modified trucks and three-wheeled motorcycles as cover to forcibly detain the young residents.
Simultaneously, in several villages within Shwetaung Township of Pyay District, Bago Region, administrative officials are collecting money under the pretext of military service fees. In Thaunpyaykone and Kanlankone villages, residents are being charged 25,000 kyats per household, while in Sharpinkone village tract, including Sharpinkone and Sinkyun villages, the collection rate is 35,000 kyats per household. Local residents are required to make these monthly contributions, and administrative officials are reportedly pressuring those who cannot afford to pay.
The collection of these fees is being led by Administrator Maung Win in Sharpinkone village and Administrator Than Linn Aung in Thaunpyaykone. Local residents are already struggling with economic hardships and daily survival needs, and these forced monetary collections are creating additional burdens for them. The administrators are following military orders while disregarding the difficulties faced by the local population, according to residents’ testimonies. The situation highlights the ongoing pressure faced by civilians under military control, with local administrators acting as enforcers of military policies despite the economic hardships faced by the communities.
