Competing Shan Ni Militia Groups Forcibly Recruiting Youth in Bilu Village Tract, Mohnyin

Pajau Media

7th May, 2025

In Kachin State’s Mohnyin Township, Bilu Village Tract, two factions of the Shan Ni Militia are engaged in conflict and are competitively recruiting local youth, sources report.

"One group claims to protect Shan literature and culture while advocating for Shan nationalism, while the other is a Shan Ni armed group under the State Administration Council (SAC). They are divided and hostile toward each other. The group shouting about Shan nationalism is even recruiting underage children as young as 12 or 14. After recruitment, they send them to Nant Mon Aung Myay checkpoint for military training. The original Shan Ni Militia isn’t sparing anyone either—they’re even recruiting people with disabilities, like those missing an eye," said a local man from Bilu Village.

The two rival Shan Ni Militia groups previously clashed in late April along the road to Ong San Sai Village in Bilu Village Tract. Due to their aggressive recruitment campaigns, local residents are now cautious about traveling.

"Young married men in the village carry their children when going out for work, fearing forced recruitment. There have been cases where both fathers and their children were taken. Only when mothers follow them to Nant Mon are the children released," the same local man added.

Both Shan Ni Militia groups are reportedly recruiting individuals aged 12 to 59, regardless of gender. Meanwhile, the SAC-aligned Shan Ni Militia is sending recruited youth to the Nan Khwin military training camp in Mogaung Township for training.

Currently, in villages such as Bung Chaung and Ong San Sai within Bilu Village Tract, armed Shan Ni militia members openly move around. They typically conduct recruitment drives after 4:30 PM.

News – Kachin Pyithar