By Ko Myo / MPA
A young man has died and another has been injured after jumping from the fourth floor of a municipal building in Yangon, in a desperate attempt to escape forced recruitment into the military.
The incident took place on the night of 6 February at the Ward 11 Administration Office in Hlaing Township. The two men had been detained as part of a round-up for military service, locally referred to as “portering.”
According to local reports, the pair attempted to flee by jumping from the detention area located on the fourth floor.
One of the men succumbed to severe spinal injuries on the morning of 7 February.
“As far as we know, the young man who broke his back died almost instantly, though some say he passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital,” a resident of Ward 11, aged over 50, told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA).
“The second man is currently at Yangon General Hospital, and we understand his condition is critical.”
However, local monitoring group Hlaing Info reported that the survivor sustained only a broken arm.
The two victims, residents of Hlaing Township’s Ward 1 and Ward 15, were reportedly detained by a group led by Sein Than, the administrator for Ward 11.
Residents allege that Sein Than has aggressively pursued forced conscription quotas since taking over the role from his predecessor, U Aye Myint, who reportedly resigned to avoid enforcing the draft.
“Sein Than used to be just a 100-household head,” the local resident explained. “When the conscription laws came into effect and the previous administrator didn’t want to enforce them, Sein Than stepped up. He handles the conscription matters with great enthusiasm.”
Accusations of corruption have also surfaced regarding the administrator’s sudden increase in wealth. Residents claim that Sein Than, who previously rented a top-floor apartment for 100,000 kyats per month, moved into a rental property costing 600,000 kyats per month shortly after becoming administrator a year ago.
“He is essentially selling people,” the resident added, referring to the practice where officials allegedly demand bribes for exemption or profit from filling recruitment quotas.
The Ward 11 Administration Office is located on Sabai Chan 1st Street.
