Twelve villagers were arrested in Hopong Township, southern Shan State, after protesting land confiscations carried out by junta forces and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), according to local sources and a statement from the Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO).

The incident began on March 30, when land brokers reportedly affiliated with the PNO, accompanied by military troops, police, and officials from the General Administration Department (GAD), arrived with bulldozers to demolish homes near Nyaung Pin and Naung Taung villages. Residents gathered to protest the destruction of their properties.

According to a PYO statement released on April 1, security forces responded later that night by raiding the village, breaking down doors, and arresting 12 individuals, including the village head of Nyaung Pin.

The statement said most of those detained were elderly and were reportedly held without food until the evening of March 31. Following the arrests, many residents fled their homes and are now in hiding, fearing further reprisals.

“The people’s livelihoods and futures are rooted in this land. Using weapons to intimidate them like this is a clear abuse of power. Now more than ever, the community must remain united and hold their representatives accountable,” said Khun Oo, vice chairman of the PYO.

Khun Oo added that similar land confiscations are occurring in Hsi Hseng and Pang Laung (Pinlaung) townships, urging communities to document abuses and continue resisting through coordinated reporting and advocacy.

The arrests follow an earlier forced eviction on March 29, when more than 80 households in Naung Taung village were reportedly forced to leave their homes after security forces used force to clear the area.

“They used heavy force and told us we had no choice but to move, which led to a confrontation with villagers. Eventually, 80 homes were cleared. These people worked incredibly hard to afford this land, but the brokers took no responsibility. In fact, they conspired with armed groups to drive locals out. Now, residents have no one to rely on and are in deep trouble,” a local man from Hopong told SHAN.

Residents trace the roots of the land dispute back to 1992, when the military reportedly confiscated nearly 20,000 acres along the Hopong–Loilem highway. In 2015, the land was transferred to the PNO, reportedly with the intention of returning it to the original owners. However, locals allege the land was never returned and was instead subdivided and sold through brokers.

Throughout 2025, authorities issued multiple eviction notices affecting more than 200 households in Myo Oo Ward and Naung Taung village, culminating in the recent demolitions and arrests.