Kokang Army forcibly recruits locals as new soldiers, claiming to help with drug addiction

Mekong, June 29 Four men who were arrested in Lashio Township, northern Shan State, under the pretext of helping them overcome drug addiction, have been forcibly recruited as new soldiers by the Kokang Army – MNDAA, according to local sources. Four locals from Inai village in Lashio Township were arrested by the Kokang Army, claiming to help them quit drugs. However, they have now been recruited as new soldiers and are reportedly guarding checkpoints of the Kokang Army, a source said. "We have seen them being ordered to guard the checkpoints surrounding Lashio city. They are now in Kokang uniforms and carrying guns. When they were arrested, their parents believed they would be returned after drug treatment, but now they have become Kokang soldiers," said a local resident who is aware of the incident. These four residents from the Inai region were arrested by the MNDAA in March last year. At the time of arrest, they were told they would be released after drug treatment. Currently, these four residents have not been released and have been forcibly recruited as new soldiers by the Kokang Army. Local residents have re-sighted them guarding checkpoints in Khayning, Inai, and Nampon, which surround Lashio. "Their words and actions do not match. This kind of action is seen as an abuse of public trust," said the local source. On April 21, the MNDAA also conducted surprise checks and arrested over 70 local residents and traveling youths in the Inai, Selmilegone, and Taungtalon areas of Lashio Township. The arrested individuals were taken by the MNDAA to Theinni to be conscripted, with some being released and the majority being recruited as new soldiers. Since Operation 1027, the MNDAA has been forcing non-Kokang ethnic groups within its controlled territory to serve in the military through various means, and has also been detaining parents if their children flee.