A newly recruited soldier who was forcibly conscripted into the military council’s forces has defected to Battalion 31 in Yinmabin District, bringing weapons and ammunition with him. The incident occurred on September 7 in Pale Township, Sagaing Region, where Private Naing Htet Lin escaped from the military council forces, carrying with him an MA-1 rifle, four ammunition magazines, 500 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and one hand grenade.
According to officials from Battalion 31 in Yinmabin District, the defecting soldier was awarded 5 million kyats (approximately 50 lakhs) as a reward for his defection. Battalion Commander U Ba Gyan presented this reward, and the defector has been granted equal rights and privileges as other members within the battalion. A battalion official stated that they would continue to welcome any additional soldiers who wish to defect from the military council’s forces.
This incident serves as evidence of the ongoing forced recruitment practices by the military council in Myanmar, while also indicating the declining morale and increasing defections within the military council’s ranks. The fact that defectors are able to escape with weapons and ammunition also demonstrates weaknesses in the military council’s arms and ammunition control systems. The defection highlights the continuing resistance against forced military service and the military council’s oppressive policies against civilians.
