Junta Targets Youth at Checkpoints for Forced Conscription: 10 Arrested at Ka Myaw Kin Bridge in Dawei

August 1, 2025

HURFOM: At approximately 7:00 a.m. on July 30, around 10 youths were arbitrarily arrested by junta forces at the Ka Myaw Kin Bridge checkpoint, one of the main entry points into Dawei town, according to local sources.

The youths were reportedly traveling from Long Lone Township to Dawei when they were stopped and arrested individually at the checkpoint. Among the 10, two were later released on the same day, according to one of the released individuals and someone close to them.

Of those arrested, four were originally from Long Lone Township, while the others were from different parts of Mon State and had relocated to live in Long Lone, a local source said.

“They were stopping vehicles at the Ka Myaw Kin checkpoint and inspecting ID cards and documents. That’s when they detained about 10 youths from one of the vehicles,” a local man told HURFOM.
The group was taken to Light Infantry Battalion No. 401, based in Tha Pyay Chaung, Dawei Township. By the evening, two of the youths were released, according to firsthand accounts.

This is not the first such incident. Earlier in the month, on July 7, four youths from Long Lone were also arrested at the same checkpoint. Of those, three were forcibly sent to military training while one was released.

In a related case, reports have emerged of a 16-year-old boy, Nann Ko Ko, who was forcibly conscripted by Infantry Battalion No. 282 in Yebyu Township. Despite being underage, military personnel allegedly fabricated a fake ID and sent him to military training. On July 26, Nann Ko Ko fled the battalion and later joined the People’s Defense Force (PDF) under Strategy 33. He reportedly escaped without carrying any weapons and has since shared that he was under 18 when he was recruited.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News