A Grade 10 student who was working at a construction materials shop while pursuing his education was forcibly recruited by the Wathinkone Police Station in Pyay Township, Bago Region, for military service. The incident occurred on the morning of June 6 when Maung John, the student in question, was detained while delivering materials to Kan Sone Inn village, east of Wathinkone town. The shop owner’s attempts to secure his release through monetary compensation were unsuccessful, according to local residents.
Maung John, who hails from Talyatpin village east of Wathinkone, has been supporting his education through part-time work. He remains detained at the Wathinkone Police Station. Local residents express growing concern over the frequent forced recruitment of young people in Wathinkone for military service. The military council has been actively recruiting young people for their 14th military training batch scheduled to begin this month. Reports from various regions indicate widespread forced recruitment and intimidation of youth for military service.
The military council’s actions have severely impacted the education, future prospects, and safety of young people in the region. Local residents live in constant fear of their children being forcibly recruited into military service, with some families forced to flee their homes to protect their young members. The practice of forced recruitment has become increasingly common in Wathinkone, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the local population. The military council’s aggressive recruitment tactics have disrupted the lives of countless families and threatened the educational pursuits of students like Maung John, who are trying to balance work and studies to secure their future.
