June 11, 2026
NAYPYIDAW – It is reported that young people in Mandalay are being recruited as part of human trafficking to serve in the military, and that they are being re-elected with money.
The second regular session of the third Mandalay Region Hluttaw was held on June 10th, by Chan Aye Tha San Township Region Hluttaw Representative No. (1) Ko Ko Htwe.
“I would like to know if there is a plan to supervise and control the activities of so-called militias in Mandalay that are not affiliated with the Tatmadaw,” according to the statement included in the question.
“There are community security and militia groups formed by the state in Mandalay, and given the current situation in Mandalay, the militia groups should be disbanded or incorporated into the community security group, and the weapons should be returned to the Tatmadaw. There is no need to fight in Mandalay, and the positions of the so-called militia groups are questionable, and they only mean corrupt groups, not militias that have collaborated with the Tatmadaw. They drive unlicensed cars as if they were military personnel, carry large guns both legally and illegally, and are illegally trafficked in the city like a big market, and they are being dragged around illegally and are living in poverty.”
Regarding the question, Minister of Security and Border Affairs, Colonel Nay Lin Soe, replied, “Relevant command groups are also monitoring the militias’ compliance with the 13 rules of conduct, and actions are being taken in accordance with the law against militias who do not follow the established rules and regulations, and militias who do not obey orders. If complaints are made about the actions of undisciplined militias, effective action will be taken in accordance with the law.”
“What is happening on the ground is that we have had to release two underage school children from military service. Another thing is that children who are working in the industry do not know who or which group is taking them to which place at night, so they do not have enough money. They are afraid to go out at night.
The minister said that if he is contacted, he will take effective action. But when they are caught, he does not know which group is catching them. When they are picked up, he does not know who sent them, so there are difficulties such as who to report them to. In our Maha Aung Myay district, 250 people have completed the Public Security and Terrorism Prevention (PSTP) special training course that the minister himself conducted. Will these groups and militias be armed and remain in the city? I have submitted a report on whether these are being investigated,” U Ko Ko Htwe explained.