Hpa-An District GAD forcibly detaining travelers on Hpa-An–Myawaddy Highway for conscription

Photo: A scene from a military junta training camp. Passengers passing through on the highway between Hpa-an and Myawaddy in Karen State are reportedly being forcibly abducted for military service by the Hpa-an District General Administration.

Mizzima

The Hpa-An District General Administration Department (GAD) is leading operations to forcibly arrest travelers along the Hpa-An–Myawaddy highway for military conscription, according to local reports.

Highway bus drivers stated that GAD staff conducted such forced apprehensions of travelers over ten times during June.

An escapee from one incident reported that a Yangon–Myawaddy interstate bus was intercepted and targeted on 15 June.

“They blocked the road with military and police vehicles to make arrests near the exit of Hpa-An, just before entering the Asian Highway, rather than at an official checkpoint. Three GAD officials seized and checked our ID cards and phones. They forced eligible men to unload their baggage and took us away,” said Ko Lin (name changed), an escapee.

The arrest team reportedly comprised of three junta-controlled GAD staff, eight police officers, and two soldiers, with GAD staff leading the operation.

Ko Lin and three other men from his bus, along with nearly 30 men from other vehicles, were loaded onto trucks and transported to a recruitment centre under Light Infantry Division (LID) 22 in Hpa-An.

Among those detained, individuals who have connections with military circle were released, while others secured their freedom through bribe payments.

Some were reportedly released after drivers and bus conductors intervened and negotiated on their behalf.

“Once inside the military compound, I heard them reporting to superiors. The person claiming to be the highest ranking officer of said compound asked the GAD official, ‘How many should I report?’ The official replied, ’12.’ In fact, there were about 30 of us. The rest were likely to be bargained off for money,” Ko Lin added.

Ko Lin eventually escaped with the assistance of the bus drivers.

Eyewitnesses reported that inside the recruitment compound, GAD staff and junta soldiers held drinking sessions to celebrate and discuss their daily haul of conscripts.

Another escapee, Ko Ye (name changed), said: “My father is a government employee. After I gave his name and position and contacted him, they released me. Many remained inside. I cannot forget their faces begging for help. I was helpless, I was just lucky to escape.”

Since invoking the National Service Law (military conscription law) in 2024, the military junta has expanded nationwide recruitment and established many boot camps.

Residents and human rights monitors report a surge in forced recruitment targeting homes, workplaces, pedestrians, and highway travellers in recent months. In one instance, even a Buddhist novice monk was forcibly conscripted.

The Hpa-An–Myawaddy Asian Highway is a primary trade and travel route connecting Myanmar and Thailand, being used daily by numerous passengers and cargo trucks.

Locals expressed growing concern over civilian security and freedom of movement due to the recurring arrests along this corridor.