BAGO DIVISION – The junta council abducted and forcibly conscripted 15-year-old teens at the Htuparyon Pagoda festival held in Thonesel Town of Tharyarwaddy District and refused to release them even after the parents bribed them, according to the families of the abducted teens.
Htuparyon Pagoda festival started on December 9 and the junta forces have been abducting and conscripting people there daily and 15-year-old teens were among those conscripted.
The families of the abducted teens went to Thonesel Police Station and tried to bribe them for their children’s release but were only told that the teens were not there and turned back.
“Htuparyon Pagoda festival has been held for three days. The festival was not held for five years and only relaunched this year. But the junta dogs (junta forces) have been abducting people every day so now there’s barely anyone visiting. The festival started on the 9th and because the junta dogs abducted those attending the festival, everyone was afraid. They don’t even spare 14 or 15-year-old teens. If they look big enough, they are abducted.
The 15-year-old boy abducted last night was from Ashayletpankhon Ward. His family went to Thonesel Police Station and tried to pay for his release but they were told that he was not at the police station and turned back,” said a resident.
It is said that the terrorist junta soldiers, police, and ward administration teams have been abducting people at Ashayletpankhon Ward, Thakhutkone Ward, and Thingankone Ward in Thonesel, and Ward Administration Officer Thein Lwin from Thakhutkone and Thingankone Wards is said to be abusing the residents in many manners to please the junta council.
In addition, it was also reported that a civilian was injured when the junta forces opened fire at the people running away when they came to abduct and conscript people at Kyaungsu Village in Oakpho Township.
The terrorist junta forces raided Kyaungsu Village on the nights of December 8 and 9 to abduct and conscript people. They chased and fired at the people who ran away on December 9 night, and one resident was shot.
“They shot at the young men who ran away on December 9 night and one was shot in his hand but he managed to escape. The Kyaungsu Village Tract Administration Officer Naing Oo is said to be leading the abductions. Naing Oo has been using the gun he received from the junta council to threaten the residents and would also summon the junta forces to abduct and conscript the young people. Because of that, the young people don’t even stay at home. So now, they are abducting older people and even people in their 60s have been abducted,” said a resident.
