Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) soldiers reportedly abducted 12 internally displaced people (IDPs) from an IDP camp in Kutkai Township, Northern Shan State to conscript them.

According to local residents, about 20 MNDAA soldiers arrived at Pan Lot refugee camp in Kutkai Township at around 9 pm on 15 May and took IDPs that they wanted to forcibly recruit into the MNDAA against their will.

''More than 20 Kokang soldiers suddenly arrived at the camp, I don’t know where they came from. They went from house to house searching and later they abducted 12 young men. They said they were recruiting soldiers for their troop. In one of the houses a woman begged them not to take her husband but some Kokang soldiers threatened her and told her to be quiet otherwise they would kill her”, said a Kutkai resident.

According to reports seven of the 12 abducted IDPs were released on 16 May. The five other abducted IDPs are still being detained.

Most of the IDPs in Pan Lot IDP Camp are ethnic Lisu people.