The junta has imposed curfews in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, and Hpakant, another major town in the region.

The junta imposed curfews, citing the need to prevent situations that could threaten public security. Residents of Myitkyina and Hpakant are prohibited from leaving their homes between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am, and gatherings of more than five people in public spaces or on roads are banned.

A Hpakant resident suggested that the junta announced the curfew as a convenient pretext to justify its abductions for conscription and arbitrary arrests of locals in Hpakant Township.

“It looks like the junta used this as a convenient cover, especially now that talks about its conscriptions are going viral. In Hpakant Town, people don’t even go out after 8:00 pm, and vendors only start their work after 4:00 am. So really, the curfew doesn’t make much of a difference,” he told KNG.

The junta is stepping up military operations to reclaim lost territories in Hpakant Township. It is also abducting civilians to serve as conscripts and porters, and shelling residential areas with artillery, causing civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, the junta’s rival, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), has also intensified its conscription efforts in Hpakant Township. As a result, residents fear being conscripted by either side, leaving the town unusually quiet with very little traffic.

Similar to Hpakant, the junta has banned gatherings of more than five people in Myitkyina Township, including the capital area, claiming it is to prevent individuals from plotting actions that could threaten public security.

The junta announced that curfews in Myitkyina and Hpakant, issued on October 8, will remain in effect until further notice.