The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) forcibly recruited 56 ethnic Shanni (Tai Lai) men and women over the age of 21 from Pin Kyaing village, Moe Kaung Township, Kachin State, on February 21, according to local sources.

A resident from Pinbaw village in Moe Kaung Township confirmed that among the 56 people taken, four were women, all of whom were Shanni nationals. "Children from remote areas have already fled to major cities like Mandalay and Yangon Regions," the resident added.

Due to ongoing instability in Kachin State, young people are being forcibly recruited by various armed groups, though such incidents are rarely widely reported.

“The authorities are unaware of the situation, but these events happen at the local level. In Letpadan village near Inndawgyi Region, young men were reportedly taken from their homes. Since telephone lines have been cut off, people only learn about these incidents when they meet someone in person. There are hardly any young people left in the village. We want this situation to change. We live in fear,” said a parent from Mohnyin who sent their two sons to Yangon for safety.

During former President Thein Sein’s administration, Shan organizations protested against KIA’s forced recruitment of Shanni people, which led to the release of some recruits.

Since 2013, Shan ethnic groups in Kachin State have been protesting against KIO/KIA over forced recruitment and other human rights violations.