In five townships in Ayeyarwady Region including Pathein and Kyonpyaw, pro-Junta Pyu-Saw-Htee militias are coercing villagers into drawing lots for recruitment, forcing the unfortunate “winners” to become new recruits.
The Chief Minister of the Ayeyarwady Region under the Junta, U Tin Maung Win, a retired lieutenant general, has personally been meeting with township administration members, actively encouraging the recruitment of new members for the Pyu-Saw-Htee militias.
An administrative official who has responsibility for the recruitment drive told NMG.
"In each village, many individuals were reluctant to join the Pyu-Saw-Htee militias, posing an obstacle to organising the villagers. Then the militias resorted to coercion, mandating each village to recruit at least five members. Failure to comply would result in potential village destruction, prompting village elders to encourage villagers to participate in drawing lots.”
Pathein, Kyonpyaw, Thabaung, Kangyidaunt and Ngaputaw townships are currently facing pressure to supply new recruits for the Pyu-Saw-Htee militia.
The recruitment drive is primarily impacting the rural areas, where two village firemen from each village are mandated to be included in the list of recruits. Those selected from Pathein, Kangyidaunt, and Ngaputaw townships will undergo training at the Southwestern Military Command headquarters in Pathein.
Recruits from Thabaung Township and specific villages in Kangyidaunt are required to attend military training at the 308th Infantry Battalion based in Thabaung, while those from Kyonpyaw must undergo training at the 36th Infantry Battalion located in Kyonpyaw.
"This act amounts to pitting fellow people against each other, exacerbating existing bitterness toward the Military Council. The problem is villagers find themselves trapped without any refuge from the Junta’s coercion. Currently fighting back against the Junta is not a viable option. Our only recourse is to patiently await the arrival of resistance forces, with the hope of joining them”, said Ko Tun Aye, a Ngaputaw resident.
Some veterans have commented that the Military Council, which is dealing with a series of setbacks and experiencing political and military losses, is on a path to self-destruction due to its adoption of misguided and coercive methods to replenish manpower and resources.
Certain administrative officials have disclosed that they have been instructed to collect a minimum of 2,000 MMK monthly from each household in the villages to finance the Pyu-Saw-Htee militias, as well as to secure community support for Pyu-Saw-Htee members and their families.
