Local residents in Pyay Township, Bago Region, have reported to Yangon Modern News that Hla Myint, a People’s Militia leader in Chinroot Kone village of Khwe Yay Ywa Ma group in Paungtalay area, is recruiting militia members by offering 200,000 kyats per month. Those who refuse to accept the monetary offer are being forcibly arrested and used as porters. Hla Myint, who was previously involved in Red Cross activities and later became a hardcore member of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), now serves as the People’s Militia leader in the northern part of Paungtalay area following the military coup.
Hla Myint’s group conducts patrols in both military uniforms and civilian clothes throughout the area. They collaborate with military captains to report information to the Paungtalay police station. When there are revolutionary activities in Pyay and Paungtalay areas, they coordinate with military, police, and Pyu Saw Htee groups from the city for security operations. Additionally, they take turns serving at the Paungtalay Township General Administration Office and participate in motorcycle inspections and guest registration checks. According to local residents, Hla Myint has become increasingly aggressive in his activities. His group maintains surveillance of the area and reports any unusual activities to the military authorities.
Furthermore, in Chaung Kwa village within the Wet Htee Kan area, Hla Myint has joined forces with Pho Cho, another hardcore USDP member, to expand their militia forces. They specifically target young people for forced recruitment and arrests. Hla Myint’s activities include maintaining lists of new military recruits, conducting patrols, monitoring the movements of People’s Defense Force members and reporting to the military, and recruiting new militia members from his area of control and adjacent regions. Local residents report that these activities have intensified, with the militia leaders using both incentives and coercion to build their forces, particularly targeting the youth in the region.
