MAGWAY DIVISION – In Yenangyaung Township, the junta council’s Township Administration Council, led by Major Than Htay and Township Administration Officer Aung Zin Oo, is reported to have abducted and drafted over 70 youths for the sixth batch of military conscription that started in October.
Yenangyaung Township recorded the highest number of conscripted youths in the entire Magway Division with Major Than Htay, the Member 1 of Yenangyaung Township Administration Council, and Administration Officer Aung Zin Oo, in particular, reported to have led the township police chief, immigration chief and general administration and abducted young people by various means including checking guest lists and cordoning off sections. It is reported that over 70 young people have been abducted so far.
Major Than Htay would then send those abducted youths off to junta light infantry 301 and 317 in Magway but as he would accept bribes to release those from wealthy families, only the young people from poor households end up being forcibly conscripted.
“Major Than Htay, Township Immigration Chief Tin Aung Kyaw and the township police chief are in cahoots. They would abduct people, extort those who can afford the money and forcibly conscript those who cannot. Most of those who were abducted and conscripted are from poor households. Many of them were not drafted during the selection but were abducted on their way to work. The township administration officers are also following the orders of the administration council,” said a resident.
Moreover, the township administration council is also said to be selling the young people abducted in Yenangyaung to other townships that cannot fulfill the conscription quota.
“Major Than Htay, the immigration chief and the township general administration are working together and sell the abducted young people to other townships,” confirmed a source within the township administration council.
