Forced Conscription and Military Fees Intensify in Mon State Ahead of Batch 15 Training

July 8, 2025

HURFOM:In Mon State, the junta is stepping up forced recruitment efforts and collecting military fees from civilians in preparation for the upcoming Batch 15 of the People’s Military Service Training, according to local residents and HURFOM field reports.

Following the enactment of the Conscription Law, junta officials and administrative bodies in townships including Mawlamyine, Paung, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Kyaikmayaw, Ye, and Kyaikhto have been targeting young people through arbitrary arrests and night-time detentions under the guise of security measures. Many of those detained are then forcibly sent to military training.

From July 4 to 7, starting each day around 8 AM, junta-appointed administrators in Mawlamyine began collecting mandatory “military training fees” from residents in several wards. In some neighborhoods, community meetings were held where families were told they must either provide one conscript or pay a fee in cash.

“They’re demanding 10,000 kyats from each household—and in some areas, even up to 20,000 kyats,” a local resident told HURFOM. “Village administrators are in charge of collecting, and in many cases, even soldiers are assisting them. But the people are overwhelmed and frustrated. It’s not just about the money—it’s the fear and uncertainty.”

If a household cannot pay the fee, they are required to nominate a person for conscription. Failure to comply results in selection through a forced lottery system. Those who refuse to participate in the draw risk having a name chosen on their behalf, followed by officials arriving at their home to deliver a conscription letter.

A parent from Mawlamyine, who asked to remain anonymous, shared their story: “We drew number one in the lottery. We didn’t want to send our son, but we had no choice. We had to hand him over to the conscription team. We were heartbroken.”

Arrests are happening under various pretexts. Sources reported that people picked up for Batch 15 include youth who were out after dark, alleged drug users, and even those arbitrarily detained by local administrators. Some were handed over to the conscription office directly on July 5.

The renewed Conscription Law, enacted by the junta on January 23, 2024, has banned eligible youth from traveling abroad without prior military approval. This comes as the junta faces heavy losses across the country and scrambles to rebuild its forces.

First introduced in 2010 by former dictator Than Shwe, the law was revived by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing on February 10, 2024. Since then, thousands of young people have been forcibly drafted, with over 2,500 conscripted into military service in Mon State alone during Batches 1 through 14.
5:06 PM

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News