Arakanese Youth Missing in Yangon; Forcible Conscription Feared
Narinjara, September 18, 2026
An Arakanese (Rakhine) youth has gone missing in Yangon, with his family reporting zero contact for nearly a week.
The missing individual has been identified as 20-year-old Maung Zaw Paing, originally from Gwa Township in Rakhine State.
Maung Zaw Paing is the son of U Than Aung (also known as U Pyaung Tu) and Daw Yin Nwe. He holds National Registration Card (NRC) number 11/GaMaNa(Naing) 058900.
He had been working in North Dagon Township, Yangon Region, when he abruptly disappeared and became completely unreachable on September 12.
Distraught and deeply concerned for his safety, his family has issued an urgent public appeal, requesting anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact them immediately.
Local analysts told Narinjara that there is a strong possibility Maung Zaw Paing was forcibly detained by authorities for military conscription.
Reports indicate that thousands of Rakhine youths who fled the ongoing conflict in Rakhine State to seek refuge in Yangon have been systematically targeted for forced military service. However, due to severe fear of military reprisals, many parents and relatives choose to remain silent rather than speaking out publicly.
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