Local residents reported that the military council forces have forcibly recruited 18 young people, including a novice monk named Thawbita, for military service in Thonze and Minhla towns of Bago Region. On March 19 at approximately 10:30 AM, military council troops and Pyu Saw Htee members arrested 17-year-old novice monk Thawbita (also known as Maung Thet Paing Yay) from the football field monastery in San Yway Tan Ward, Thonze Town, Thayarwaddy Township. Local residents confirmed that Thawbita had only been ordained as a novice monk for about two months when he was forcibly taken away in a vehicle by soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee members near the football field monastery.
Similarly, in Minhla town’s No. 6 Ward, military council forces arrested nine young people. On March 18, military troops arrested six waiters at May Restaurant in No. 6 Ward following a dispute when the soldiers were denied alcohol. The restaurant owner had to pay 20 million kyats to secure their release. Additionally, two Hindu brothers, who were relatives of No. 6 Ward administrator Bun Toe, were arrested for failing to show tax receipts for their scrap metal trading business. They were later released after paying 5 million kyats. A resident from North New Town’s 4th Street in No. 6 Ward was also arrested by military council forces at Kauk Kway Tan village while returning from Sha Pin Kwe village where he had gone for matters related to beans and paddy.
The military council has also posted warnings in front of the General Administration Office in Minhla town prohibiting travel between 11 PM and 3 AM. These incidents of arbitrary arrests, extortion, and forced recruitment for military service demonstrate the military council’s ongoing oppressive actions against civilians. The practice of demanding large sums of money for the release of arbitrarily detained civilians and forcing people into military service continues to be a significant concern for local residents, who must endure these human rights violations under the military regime’s rule.
