In Nat Htamin village, Minle Township, Bago Region, village administrator Thein Naing Soe, who had been forcing civilians and youth who couldn’t afford military service fees to serve as porters for the military, was killed in an attack by revolutionary forces. On March 8 at approximately 11:45 AM, combined forces from Thayarwaddy District Battalion 3802’s Units 2 and 3, along with Minle Township People’s Defense Force, entered the administrator’s house and opened fire. He was shot three times in the head, resulting in immediate death.
The deceased administrator, also known as Tay Lay, had been forcibly collecting money from impoverished civilians under the guise of military service fees, reporting those who couldn’t pay to the military for arrest, and deliberately challenging revolutionary forces with contempt. His actions had forced local residents to flee their homes, leaving them unable to work and facing severe economic hardships. According to a PDF official from Thayarwaddy District, the administrator’s actions in forcing villagers who couldn’t pay military service fees to serve as porters and facilitating their arrest had led to widespread displacement, with residents unable to maintain their livelihoods or even secure basic necessities.
The PDF official stated that when the administrator heard about potential complaints to the PDF regarding his actions, he responded with defiance, challenging any PDF members to confront him. As a result, revolutionary forces have announced their intention to intensify operations against the military and its supporters who continue to oppress civilians and revolutionary forces. They have issued warnings to civilians to avoid proximity to these targets. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between military-appointed local administrators and resistance forces, as well as the impact of forced military service fees on civilian populations in Myanmar.
