Around 100 people abducted for forced military conscription in Yangon in September

Mizzima

Approximately 100 people were abducted in Yangon for forced military recruitment during September, according to the Rangoon Scout Network (RSN), an on-the-ground monitoring group.

“This occurred across a total of 20 townships,” an RSN official said.

These forced abductions, commonly known as portering, took place in nearly half of the total townships in Yangon Region. According to the 2023 administrative territory registry of the General Administration Department, which operates under the junta, there are 45 townships in Yangon Region.

The townships where abductions occurred are Kyimyindaing, Sanchaung, Dawbon, Botahtaung, Mingalar Taungnyunt, Mayangone, North Dagon, North Okkalapa, Hlaing, Insein, Kamayut, Tamwe, Hlaingthaya, Thanlyin, Thaketa, South Dagon, Pazundaung, Latha, and Pabedan.

“Most of them were randomly snatched while they were on the streets. They use various vehicles civilian cars, military trucks, and police cars patrolling during quiet hours and after dark to grab people whenever there is an opportunity. Most of the abductions are carried out by individuals in civilian clothes using civilian vehicles, though military and police personnel in uniform are sometimes involved,” the RSN official said.

While some of those abducted were released after paying ransom, the current status of the majority remains unknown, according to the source.

To secure the release of their loved ones, parents and relatives are being forced to sell or mortgage their homes to pay ransoms, which can amount to hundreds of lakhs of kyat.

The junta is reportedly preparing to launch conscription Batch (29) soon and has issued directives requiring eight people per ward to serve. In previous conscription batches, only two people were called up per ward.

“News about calling up eight people emerged around mid-September. I heard they will start implementing this in the upcoming batch. People in the ward are talking about it. This is a moneymaking opportunity for the ward administrators,” a resident of Thaketa said.

Locals said that due to the various methods used by the junta and subordinate Pyusawhti militia members to abduct people, residents in suburban neighborhoods are increasingly avoiding going outside at night. Even when staying indoors, residents fear ward administrators will come with list registers or conduct guest registration inspections to drag them away for military service.

Since Conscription Batch (29) is expected to begin in the second week of October, RSN has advised Yangon residents to exercise extreme caution when traveling outside in the coming days. RSN also urged residents to stay informed about conscription activities in their neighborhoods, arrange temporary safe havens, and memorize emergency contact numbers.

The junta enforced the military conscription law, which mandates military service for all eligible citizens, in February 2024, and announced plans to recruit approximately 5,000 conscripts per batch.