Battalions of the Burmese army stationed in Kachin State have been apprehending youths on the streets late at night and forcibly conscripting them for military service, according to local sources.
Col Khin Maung Cho, a tactical commander based in Hpakant in Kachin State has reportedly ordered battalions 40, 388 and 389—based near Hopin Township and its surrounding villages—to collect new recruits by force, say local residents.
The sources add that local authorities have been informed of the army’s actions, which target Kachin youths who are out on the streets after 10 p.m., and that the army will continue their conscription throughout August. The goal, sources say, is to collect at least 100 youths from Hopin Township.
“Last night, about 16 young people were arrested in the Myazeya quarter of Hopin, and more than 30 have been arrested in the last three days,” a resident of Myazeya told The Irrawaddy on Friday.
Last year, Lt-Gen Thein Sein of Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council dismissed accusations from the international community that the junta was using forced conscription to bolster their troop levels, and claimed that the government only “allows for recruiting members in accord with their own wishes.”
However, local sources say the practice continues. “The soldiers target youths, orphans and drug users who are on the streets after 10 p.m.,” said an area resident. “They ask for identity cards and if the person does not have it with them, they are arrested and told they can join the military or go to jail.”
Other residents said the army has also forcibly conscripted new recruits on trains running through Mohnyin, Hopin and Mogaung in Kachin State, adding that the practice of forced conscription might be used by army officers seeking promotions to higher ranks.
Col Khin Maung Cho, a tactical commander based in Hpakant in Kachin State has reportedly ordered battalions 40, 388 and 389—based near Hopin Township and its surrounding villages—to collect new recruits by force, say local residents.
The sources add that local authorities have been informed of the army’s actions, which target Kachin youths who are out on the streets after 10 p.m., and that the army will continue their conscription throughout August. The goal, sources say, is to collect at least 100 youths from Hopin Township.
“Last night, about 16 young people were arrested in the Myazeya quarter of Hopin, and more than 30 have been arrested in the last three days,” a resident of Myazeya told The Irrawaddy on Friday.
Last year, Lt-Gen Thein Sein of Burma’s ruling State Peace and Development Council dismissed accusations from the international community that the junta was using forced conscription to bolster their troop levels, and claimed that the government only “allows for recruiting members in accord with their own wishes.”
However, local sources say the practice continues. “The soldiers target youths, orphans and drug users who are on the streets after 10 p.m.,” said an area resident. “They ask for identity cards and if the person does not have it with them, they are arrested and told they can join the military or go to jail.”
Other residents said the army has also forcibly conscripted new recruits on trains running through Mohnyin, Hopin and Mogaung in Kachin State, adding that the practice of forced conscription might be used by army officers seeking promotions to higher ranks.
