According to intelligence and police sources based in Hlaing Tharyar, Western Chairman Htun Htun Linn and Eastern Chairman Aung Baw have deployed no fewer than 10 groups of thugs and militia to forcibly recruit military personnel in Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon Region. This forced recruitment campaign began in December 2024 when township administrative bodies met with local thugs and militia groups to organize military recruitment efforts. These groups have been dispatched throughout Hlaing Tharyar Township, including areas near Dagon Ayeyar Highway Terminal, bus stops, jetties, and around Bayintnaung Bridge.
The township administration has authorized these groups to engage in human trafficking and collect recruitment fees in collaboration with ward/village administrative bodies. When a young person is captured, the bounty ranges from 1.5 million to 3 million kyats. According to a source from a local intelligence group, captured youths are sent to the General Administration Office and military recruitment units, after which they can be ‘bought back’ by wards needing to fill their quotas. The immediate payment of 1.5 million kyats for each captured person has led to a proliferation of human trafficking groups in Hlaing Tharyar, with at least 10 groups currently operating. These groups patrol in both taxis and private vehicles throughout the area.
Police sources in Hlaing Tharyar report that most of the young people captured for forced military service are from Ayeyarwady Region. Each thug and militia group captures between 3 to 5 youths daily throughout the township. While ward administrators and police mainly recruit those with existing criminal cases or those found during guest registration checks, the majority of recruitment is carried out by roving groups of thugs and militia. The current market price for a recruited youth has reached 7 million kyats. These operations have been officially sanctioned by Western Township Administration Chairman Htun Htun Linn and Eastern Township Administration Chairman Aung Baw, with all captures required to be reported to the township general administration office.
