Local residents reported that the military council forces have arrested 18 young people, including a novice monk, for forced 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 forcibly took away 17-year-old novice monk Thawbita (also known as Maung Thet Paing Yay) from the football field monastery in Sanshwe Ward, Thonze Town, Thayarwady Township. The novice monk had only been ordained for about two months when he was taken away in a vehicle by soldiers and militia members near the football field monastery.
Similarly, in Minhla town’s Ward 6, military council forces arrested nine young people. On March 18, military troops arrested six waiters at May Restaurant in Ward 6 over a dispute about serving alcohol. The restaurant owner had to pay 20 million kyats to secure their release. Additionally, two Hindu brothers, who were relatives of Ward 6 administrator Bun Toe, were arrested for failing to show tax receipts for their scrap metal business. They were released after paying 5 million kyats. A resident from North New Town Street 4 in Ward 6 was also arrested by military council forces near Kauk Kwe Tan village while returning from Sharpinkwe village where he had gone for matters related to beans and rice trading.
The military council has also posted warnings in front of the General Administration Department office in Minhla town prohibiting travel between 11 PM and 3 AM. These incidents of arbitrary arrests, extortion, and restrictions on freedom of movement demonstrate the military council’s ongoing oppression of local civilians. The pattern of forcing civilians into military service, demanding ransoms for releases, and implementing restrictive measures continues to impact daily life in these areas, reflecting the military council’s systematic approach to controlling the population through coercion and intimidation.
