October 2, 2024
In the Dakhina Thiri Township of Naypyidaw, residents reported that the township administrator, U Nyi Win, is leading efforts to detain youths as new soldiers. Eyewitnesses claim that this morning, U Nyi Win, accompanied by military, police, and departmental teams, blocked roads near the Marawizaya Pagoda to arrest all available youths. It is reported that during the detentions, youths and men were treated as criminals, with military personnel forcing them to raise their arms above their heads and using their feet to kick them during the arrest.
A friend of one detainee stated, “U Nyi Win’s wife is involved in this. They are treating the youths and men like criminals, forcing them to raise their arms above their heads while being kicked. They say they are detaining people for the weekly military operations.” This friend received a phone call from someone who was arrested.
Similarly, in Magway Region, at a military checkpoint seven miles north of Thayet, youths are also being arrested, and instances of extortion and detention are occurring. Reports indicate that on the nights of October 1 and September 30, youths were arrested in the Paytaw Aye neighborhood of Thayet.
A local resident commented, “The militia from Pyitawpin Village is capturing and beating the locals. They entered the Paytaw Aye neighborhood last night and detained youths. They said they need to arrest more people for the weekly military operations.”
In a related development, in the Ingapu Township of the Ayeyarwady Region, it has been reported that the village administrator, U Khaing, and local militia leader, U Myo Myint, are demanding a payment of 2,500 kyats from each youth in exchange for not being recruited into the military. If the payment is not made, they threaten to forcibly enlist individuals into the military.
