Phyo/Thet Paing(NSS)- Oct 5

Locals told The Statesman that the KIA has been increasing its recruitment efforts in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, with at least four people being forcibly recruited into the KIA every day.

In the Hpakant region, where the Tatmadaw is conducting clearance operations, the KIA has been making continuous arrests of civilians on roads, among jade scavengers, and at jade trading sites. A local resident stated that since the KIA took control of the Hpakant region, more than 3,000 people have been  forcibly recruited as new soldiers. 

“On the Wehkha side, they recruit people during the day time from tea shops and jade mining sites. On the Mamonwaing side, they wait at the motorboat gates and abduct people. In my buddy's family, apart from his two sons, who had to go out for work, both of them were also taken. Just the other day, when they came to seize jade miners, people fled in panic and one man fell from a pile of cuttings and died. The situation has become extremely severe,” said a Hpakant local who wished to remain anonymous.

A local, who asked not to be named, said that the KIA is currently targeting people in areas where they are looking for minerals, making it difficult for people in Hpakant to even go out to do business.

“I’ve heard that when they capture someone, they even ask whether the person wants to pay money or be taken to Bhamo. But regardless of what’s said, with these ongoing abductions, people are now thinking twice before going out even for work. As for the jade miners, if they don’t go out searching, their families won't be able to make a living, so they continue to mine, albeit with fear,” the local explained.

Currently, the Tatmadaw has taken control of about 12 jade mining areas in Hpakant Township, but the KIA is reportedly still recruiting new members. –