Junta arrests young men: Extorts and forces them to join army

December 27, 2024

HURFOM: In recent months, the number of disappearances of young people in Mon State has been on the rise. Most have been arbitrarily arrested by the military junta.

According to at least one individual, who has direct experience following arrests, the junta forces individuals to contact their family to pay a ransom for their release.

Last month, two teenagers and a 40-year-old man from Thanbyuzayat Township were arrested by the Well Ka Lee artillery regiment and the regiment demanded a ransom for their release.

“My teenage nephew was arrested and he phoned his mother. He told his mother his release will cost 3.5 million MMK. His mother worried if he would be conscripted so she borrowed money to secure his release. Now, my nephew is at home,” said his aunty.

In the first week of December, 2024, a 23-year-old young man was arrested by the Well Ka Lee regiment again.

“After his arrest, he was allowed to phone his family once. He told his mother not to worry about him as the regiment detained him just for a while. But they lost contact with him later,” said a source who is close to the family.

On December 22nd, 2024, two 30-year-old men from Ye and Thanbyuzayat Township disappeared without a trace and their families have not had contact with them as of today.

On December 15^th, 2024, the junta arrested a young man who came back from a festive event and forced him to inform his family that he was being conscripted into the military for two years.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News