The military junta is denying benefits to families of young people who were forcibly recruited and subsequently killed in frontline combat. In one case, Maung Chan Myae Aung (aka Aung Aung), age 30, from Taunggyi, Shan State, was deceptively conscripted into the first batch of military service in April 2024. He was killed about 6 months ago near Lashio in northern Shan State’s frontline. However, the military and local administrators did not inform his family of his death until more than 6 months later, forcing the family to hold a delayed memorial service.
Similar incidents have frequently occurred with young people forcibly recruited from various wards in Taunggyi Township, including Kyaung Gyi Su, Yadana Thiri, Kan Thar, Sein Pan, Nyaung Phyu Camp, and Chan Mya Thar Si. When these recruits are killed in frontline combat, their families are not informed in a timely manner, often receiving delayed notifications long after the deaths. Furthermore, the military has officially announced that no benefits will be provided for these deceased servicemen.
In another case, Private Zin Bo Bo from Batch 6, who was from Yay Twin Seik village in Kangyidaunt Township, Ayeyarwady Region, was killed in combat on March 10 at the frontline between Shan State and Karenni State. Although he had joined the military as a paid substitute recruit, the military officially informed his family that no benefits would be provided following his death. Zin Bo Bo left behind a father who suffers from stroke, having already lost his mother previously. These cases highlight the military’s practice of forcibly recruiting civilians, sending them to dangerous frontline positions, and then denying their families any compensation or benefits when they are killed in action.
