The junta is recruiting men aged over 35 years in Mon State to form ‘people’s security and counter terrorism’ armed militias, according to residents.

Members of junta-controlled ward and village administration committees started recruiting men for the new militias in the Mon State townships of Bilin, Thaton, Chaungzon, and Ye in the last week of August.

According to Bilin residents, new recruits to the militias will get uniforms, weapons and a daily stipend of 6,800 MMK.

In Ye Township junta ward and administration committees have been working to rapidly establish people’s security militias in every ward and village in Ye Township.

On 25 August, during a meeting with officials in Mandalay, junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, ordered the formation of militias in every ward and village to provide ‘people’s security and counter terrorism.’

As younger men are being conscripted into the army, the militias will recruit older men aged over 35 years old. They will be provided with uniforms, weapons, military equipment and training before being sent out to carry out security duties in different wards and villages. They will also provide support to the junta army.

Residents are critical of the plans saying that they are unacceptable because instead of protecting civilians the army is expecting civilians to protect soldiers.

Revolutionary forces based in Mon State have warned that they will target anyone attempting to form people’s security militias and will designate the militias and those recruiting for them as military targets.