12 April 2026 – Military forces from the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) detained at least 15 youths on Bogyoke Road in Kalay town on 10 April 2026.
The arrests occurred around 10 am near Sanmyo Monastery and KBZ Bank (Branch 2). After cordoning off the area, SSPC forces transported the detainees to the District General Administration Office.
Residents describe frequent and unpredictable arrests across the town, which is creating widespread fear among young people. SSPC authorities are reported to be operating in uniform and plainclothes, sometimes utilizing unmarked vehicles.
Similar incidents, allegedly for conscription purposes, were reported on 7–9 April near Min Gyi Hotel. Arrests have also taken place near Christian churches during worship hours.
Key high-risk areas include locations along Bogyoke Road, such as Sanmyo Monastery and Min Gyi Hotel, as well as areas like the airport vicinity and the Pinlon traffic light.
These detentions reflect the junta’s intensified drive to recruit young men since the People’s Military Service Law was introduced in February 2024. The SSPC, which replaced the State Administration Council in 2025, has stepped up efforts to replenish its depleted ranks amid battlefield losses.
Reports of arbitrary street abductions and home raids targeting youths have become common in Kalay and other parts of Sagaing Region.
Kalay, a strategic town near Chin State, remains a key logistical base for the military’s operations and is located in Sagaing, one of the most active resistance fronts.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and exercise caution when traveling, particularly during the Thingyan holiday period. – Reporting by Daniel
