HURFOM: On November 13th, 2025, a junta’s regiment of approximately 70 troops arrested nearly 20 villagers and plantation workers from R Yu Taung and nearby villages. The arrests took place after the regiment advanced onto the R Yu Taung – Taung Bone – Taung Zoon and Maw Ka Nin Road area in Ye Township.
The regiment then used those they arrested as human shields during a military operation. Those arrested were eventually released near Kyaung Yaw village on November 16th, but not before extorting 10,000 MMK from each person.
“The arrested included those from R Yu Taung and other villages. They forced about 20 villagers to escort them and used them as human shields. The regiment advanced into Yaw Kalay and Lake Poke. Then, they entered into the 591st LIB. They extorted 10,000 MMK from each arrested villager and released them near Kyaung Yaw village,” said an R Yu Taung villager.
The arrested villagers were in the 17-40 age range and they were from R Yu Taung, Taung Bone, Taung Zoon and Pine One villages.
The regiment advanced into Min Hla and Lake Poke on November 15th where they encountered revolutionary forces and became engaged in an armed clash.
A number of houses and monastery buildings were burnt down during the armed conflicts and one woman was injured.
