On November 2007, armed personnel from LIB (140) stopped three students from Lalui and Khuabal villages on their way to school in Matupi town and hustled them to army camps of the LIB (140) near the town.

The recruited students go to high schools in Matupi town from the distant villages.

In the army camps, the military authorities reportedly tried various means to persuade the three students by showing them army propaganda films and serving delicious food, said a local in Chin state.

Soon after the school principals approached Colonel Zaw Myint Oo and appealed to him to free the forcibly recruited students.

"Initially, the tactical commander didn't allow them (school principals) to approach him. He scolded them and told them not to interfere in his business," a local said.

The military authorities finally set free the three students after the principals from high school (1) and (2) in Matupi town repeatedly appealed to the tactical commander for the release of the students on the ground of further education.

However, the principals and students were forced to promise not to spread the news.

Colonel Zaw Myint Oo, tactical commander stationed in Matupi township, Chin state on November last year issued an order for village heads to recruit five persons per village for serving in the army, according to locals in Chin state.

Similarly, the military authorities in Sagaing division have also been recruiting youths in Kalay town with salary incentive to serve in the armed forces since November last year.  

Sources said the authorities are also preparing to use force if the salary incentive is not a good enough to persuade the local youth to join the army.

"They (military authorities) threatened the people that they will use force in recruiting if the people don't pay heed to their soft way approach", said a Chin national from Kalay. – Khonumthung.