More than 200 residents from several villages in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region, gathered to protest against forced conscription.
Residents of Bokekan, Minthamee and Zeehpyukone villages began protesting on February 15, and on February 16, about 250 villagers from Malu, Zeehpyukone, Aukthaung, Ywathar, Minthamee and Bokekan gathered in Bokekan and marched along the Asia Highway in protest.
Locals accused Tamu District Battalions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, overseen by Military Region 1 Administration under the resistance-run National Unity Government (NUG), of conscripting residents through various methods.
“The public can no longer tolerate this. Boys are being forcibly drafted against their will. In some places, they lie in wait and abduct locals. Even taxi bikers are not spared. Worst of all, men working in their fields are also being targeted. If people try to run away, warning shots are fired to intimidate them. That is why people have taken to the streets to protest,” said a local.
Then, officers from Tamu District battalions took six protest leaders, reportedly for discussions, but released them a few hours later.
“The public demanded the release of family members arrested for conscription and called for assurances that similar incidents would not happen again. An official from the Military Region 1 Administration said the issue would be resolved within an hour and took several protest leaders away,” the source added.
Involuntary conscription in resistance-controlled areas including towns such as Khampat and Kanan in Tamu District, as well as villages where protests are now taking place began in November 2025, and has now escalated, prompting residents to take to the streets.
Khonumthung News is still attempting to reach the Tamu District battalions under Military Region 1 Administration for comment on these developments.