The Junta’s troops abducted over 100 civilians during raids conducted on Mazupyang and Sanhkar villages located in Hpakant Township of Kachin State on April 26th according to locals.

A witness told the KNG, They are currently conducting raids and operations in villages near Mazupyang prison. The initial surprise raids resulted in the detention of around 70 villagers, and the number of arrests has since risen to over 100. The soldiers have been entering houses and apprehending people.

There have been reports that the Military Council is abducting the civilians to use them as human shields.

“The Military Council’s columns are currently moving around the vicinity of the prison, but they have not entered inside it yet. We have received reports that they have taken civilians captive, potentially intending to use them as human shields once again”, he added.

In a similar incident, on April 21st, a Military Council column raided Hmawbon village and apprehended about 200 villagers. Following the raid, over 150 of the detainees were temporarily held in Mazupyang prison, while the remaining 50 were taken as human shields by the Military Council troops as they proceeded towards Kanhsee village for operations. Subsequently, the individuals who were used as human shields were transferred back to Mazupyang prison on April 25th.

On April 25th and 26th, the Military Council released approximately 80 of the 200 detained Hmawbon villagers, in two separate groups.

“It can be confirmed that some Hmawbon villagers who were detained have been released, though it seems that the majority of elderly individuals have been released, while the youth remain in custody. Unfortunately, 17 young jade scavengers who shared my dormitory were among those arrested, and none of them have been released thus far. On a somewhat positive note, approximately 30 detainees were released yesterday evening, with another 50 released this morning”, a local told the KIC.

In recent days, the Military Council in Hpakant has been carrying out mass and arbitrary arrests of civilians, resulting in widespread panic among the local population. Some individuals fear that their lives may be at risk due to these actions.

Since the start of this year, the Military Council has increased its focused arrests of civilians in Kachin State. In the previous month, over 200 residents of Sharaw Hka village and 60 individuals from Sapyit Khu village were apprehended.