Residents of Paletwa Township in Chin State reported that a newly formed armed group, the Khumi People Front (KPF), has allegedly abducted villagers from several local communities to recruit them as conscripts, while also issuing threats against the families of those taken.

On June 1 at around 9:00 p.m., armed KPF members reportedly arrived in Kyaukpalin Village, located in the Tharyarkone Village Tract of Paletwa Township, and allegedly abducted seven members of the Panam ethnic group for military recruitment.

“The KPF has reportedly threatened the families of those taken, warning that they would be killed if they speak out about the incident. Two of those taken have since escaped, but their families remain deeply concerned about those still being held,” a local told Chin World.

The seven people abducted by the KPF were between 17 and 40 years old.

The families of those abducted are pleading for their immediate release, saying they are ordinary civilians not involved in combat.

Most areas of Paletwa Township, including Paletwa and Samee towns, are under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), while Chinland Defence Force-Paletwa (CDF-Paletwa), CDF-Daai, and other Chin armed resistance groups that emerged after the coup are also active in the region.