Village administrator in Kyauk Latt threatens and demands 80,000 kyats per person as conscription fee

In the Thayet Ngu village tract of Kyauk Latt Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region, the village administrator appointed by the interim government is demanding between 50,000 and 80,000 kyats per person as a conscription fee, according to local residents. Local residents stated that the administrator of the Thayet Ngu village tract, U Aung Kyaw Myint, is pressuring ward and village administrators, including Rayainmyar and Seainmyar, to collect money. "They are primarily pressuring the women and family members left at home. When they cannot get the money through pressure, they call those who are outside and threaten them further," a local resident told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. While this money collection has been ongoing for years, it is understood that starting in September, individuals are being told to pay on a per-person basis, rather than for the entire household. Furthermore, local residents reported that those who are not in the village but are in other regions are being contacted by phone and threatened with being designated as draft dodgers if they do not pay, that they will not be allowed to return to the village, and that their family members at home will be punished first. These threats are being carried out continuously. According to local residents, the people of the Thayet Ngu village tract are living in daily fear and anxiety due to these coercive demands for money. The interim government forces are currently providing military training up to the 28th batch of the People's Conscription Training Course, and upon completion of the training, they will be deployed to areas where there is a shortage of troops.