In Minhlah Township of Bago Region, the military council forces have been conducting operations in villages, forcibly recruiting young people for military service, causing widespread fear among local residents. On April 5th in the evening, the military forces raided Bwut Sein Bon village and arrested three young men, including a final-year university student. The arrested individuals were identified as Ko Min Thet Ko, Ko Moe Min Win, and Ko Win Aung.
During the military’s raid on the village, when most young people attempted to flee, the soldiers threatened and beat a woman while holding her at gunpoint. The military column then continued their operations, moving from Bwut Sein Bon village to several other villages including Thankan Chaung, Ywa Thaya, Pat Tan Gyi, and Pat Tan Lay villages, attempting to capture more young people for forced labor.
Later that night, the military forces entered Nyaung Thone Pin village and arrested Ko Aung Ko, who lived in the western part of the village. As a result of these military operations, thousands of young people from six villages have been unable to return to their homes and remain in hiding. According to a local resident, the military council is conducting these forced recruitment operations in most villages across Minhlah Township, claiming they are acting under orders from above. While these operations briefly paused during the recent earthquake period, they have now resumed, making it impossible for young people to return to their homes, forcing them to remain in hiding.
