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 militia 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. The novice monk, who had only been ordained for about two months, was forcibly taken away in a vehicle by soldiers and militia members near the monastery.
Similarly, nine young people from Ward 6 in Minhla Town were also forcibly recruited by military council troops. On March 18, military soldiers visited May Restaurant in Ward 6 of Minhla Town. When they were denied alcohol service, they arrested six waiters from the establishment. The restaurant owner was later forced to pay 20 million kyats (approximately USD 9,500) to secure their release. Additionally, two Hindu brothers who were relatives of Ward 6 administrator Bun Toe were arrested for allegedly failing to show tax receipts for their scrap metal business. They were only released after paying 5 million kyats (approximately USD 2,375) to the military council forces.
A resident from North New Town Street 4 in Ward 6 of Minhla was also arrested by military council forces near Kauk Kway Tan village while returning from Sharpinkwe village where they had gone for business related to beans and rice. Furthermore, the military council has posted warning signs in front of the General Administration Department office in Minhla Town, prohibiting travel between 11 PM and 3 AM. These incidents of forced recruitment, arbitrary arrests, and extortion by the military council demonstrate an escalating pattern of oppression against local civilians in these areas.
