Some observers said the government might be planning to use the prisoners as porters in its offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State.
Prison authorities selected the prisoners during a line-up on Thursday morning. Most of those selected were long-term prisoners. They were taken away by two trucks and guarded by armed police guards.
From-China-in-the-Attack-on-KIA-MaungShein-Ordered-to-Get-Ammtns-Heavy-Weapons-From-Loan-MAH-Order-500-Prisoners-Including political prisoner
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