KAREN STATE- The local news source of Hpa-an stated that some youths who plan to go to Thailand via the illegal route to avoid military service are being arrested by the junta army in Hpa-an Township.
This December, the junta army has specifically been checking males between the ages of 18 and 35 at SalweenBridge, Hpa-An township. It is also reported that youths who would go to Thailand illegally got detained at the security gates on Hpa-An to Hlaingbwe Road and at Htilong Region, and were sent to the military academy.
“Junta troops are arresting those youths who go to the Thailand border and sending them to military training camps. The main arrest areas were at Swaleen Bridge and Htilong side. There are military checkpoints near Htilong, along the Hpa-An Hlaingbwe side. The safe side is the (HpaAn- Hlaingbwe)- Malthawal side. As for Malthawal, military power no longer applies. Junta army is making arrests as far as the Hlaingbwe area,” the local news source of Hpa-an explained.
In addition to those arrested at security checkpoints, about 100 youths who were arrested and summoned by the army from Hpa-An downtown and township were sent to the military academy to attend the 8th batch of military service. According to the plan, 200 recruits were targeted, but only around 100 people were reportedly recruited. Most of the detainees and young recruits were at the primary/secondary school level, and some of them were struggling to make a living. According to local news sources, some young people were recruited for military training by paying between 10 to 15 lakhs each.
As of now, the target population for the 8th batch of military service has not been met, and a large number of recruits are needed. Young people should be careful not to get arbitrarily detained, the local news sources warned.
” The border guard force (BGF) also calls for recruits as well as the junta (military) council. Of course youths are stuck with both sides. The military recruitments have been made in Hpa-an and neighborhood since last month. If you are unwilling to serve in the military, you have to pay bribes. three thousand kyats have to be paid by a house in the city. In the village, homes with young people are asked for 15 to 30 lakhs,” said a resident.
