The Burmese military junta authorities have compiled a list of people for fresh recruitments into the militia and the police force in southern and eastern Shan State, border sources said.

"They compiled the list of people for recruitment into the militia and fire services earlier also.  Now they are forcibly recruiting into the police force. Men are finding it really difficult to go to Thailand to seek jobs and money," a Tachilek driver said.

It's difficult to find men to join the army or the police force because people don't want to be a soldier or a policeman, in the wake of increasing desertions. Besides the salaries are inadequate to look after their families, a source close to army officers’ said.

"I learnt that thousands of men were summoned for fresh recruitments into the police force in southern and eastern Shan State," he told S.H.A.N.

The Burmese police force have summoned 135 people from Loi Ling, 199 from Nang Hzam, 146 from Kun Heing, 171 from Panlong, 50 from Mueng Nai, 78 from Lang Hke, 69 from Mueng Pang, 77 from Mauk Mae, 15 from Keng Taung, 6 from Ho Mueng, 29 from Mueng Naung, 171 from Kay Si, 166 from Mueng Kai, 55 from Lai Hkar and about 100 each from Keng Tung, Mueng Hpak, Mueng Pying, Mueng Ton, Mueng Hserk, and Tachilek.

"An opium addict doesn't want join the police. However, if a person doesn't want to be a policeman, he has to be a militia, firefighter, USDA member, or join the vigorous group (Swam Arr Shin). We can't deny it," a local from Keng Tung said.

The local Burmese army unit summoned vehicles (Htaw Lar Gi) to check family member’s list in each village for recruitment into the new militia and police force. At the same time, they collected property lists. According to a Nam Hzum local, men of all ages find it difficult to travel in Shan State.