Weekly Analysis: Arbitrary Arrests by the Junta Spark Fear and Alarm

August 11, 2025

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) is alarmed at the rate of arbitrary arrests on the rise in Southeastern Burma. Young men in particular are being targeted for the junta’s illegal and unjust forced conscription bid, which threatens their safety and security. The lawlessness that is rampant across conflict-torn communities has permitted the junta to use violent means to arrest and detain innocent people with no repercussions.

At approximately 7:00 AM 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.

The youths were reportedly travelling 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 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. 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 Defence 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.

In a separate incident, more than 15 young male workers were arrested in Kawthaung Township, Kawthaung District, Tanintharyi Region, on the night of July 28, 2025, by junta troops citing “guest registration violations” as the reason. At 10 PM on July 28, joint forces composed of junta soldiers and local administrators carried out coordinated nighttime inspections in several villages under the 10-Mile Village Tract, including Kan Maw Gyi (also known as 8-Mile Village), 11-Mile, and 12-Mile villages. They went door to door and detained male workers between the ages of 20 and 40, accusing them of failing to register their presence as required by military-imposed guest list rules.

According to residents, five men were taken from 8-Mile Village. From 12-Mile, workers from several local companies were targeted. Similar raids took place again on the night of July 30 in the 9-Mile area, as well as in Naung Yoe natural stone production site and Tar Nyon Parda Village. Locals reported that junta troops conducted surprise inspections using guest list records and arrested both general labourers and rubber plantation workers. However, the exact number of those detained in these follow-up raids remains unconfirmed.

Many of the detained workers were reportedly employed by well-known local business owners. Families and employers were forced to pay between 700,000 and 800,000 Myanmar Kyat in exchange for the release of eight detainees on July 29, according to residents.

Sources also revealed that the military has demanded 10 young men from the 10-Mile Village Tract to be conscripted into service. These recent arrests appear to be part of a larger effort to meet those conscription quotas under the guise of enforcing guest registration regulations.

Locals in Kawthaung fear further arbitrary arrests, as the junta continues to exploit minor administrative rules to target young people and force them into military service.

Overview of Main Cases

Two Teenagers Killed by a Landmine While Trying to Buy Medicine in Palaw Township, Southern Tanintharyi Region
Tragedy struck in To village, Palaw Township, Myeik District, when two teenage boys lost their lives after their motorcycle hit a landmine while they were on their way to buy medicine.

Local sources confirmed that the incident occurred on the afternoon of July 28, 2025. The two boys, both around 16 years old, were traveling along the road between To village and Pitat village when the landmine detonated. One of the teenagers died instantly at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital.

Two More Bodies of Thin Kyun Villagers Found in Thar Yet Chaung, Killed and Discarded by Junta Troops
Two more villagers from Thin Kyun have been found dead, killed and disposed of by junta forces operating in Thar Yet Chaung Township, Dawei District. The victims—two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s—were arrested by junta soldiers on July 26 after being stopped on the road. Witnesses said the troops tied their hands behind their backs and took them away.

Four days later, on July 29, their bodies were discovered by villagers near Kya-In Monastery, about six miles from Thin Kyun village.

Junta Targets Youth at Checkpoints for Forced Conscription: Ten Arrested at Ka Myaw Kin Bridge in Dawei
At approximately 7:00 AM 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.

Mon State Junta Orders Each Village Tract and Ward in Mudon to Provide Up to Three Conscripts for Ongoing Military Training
According to sources close to local administrators, the military junta has ordered that every village tract and ward in Mudon Township must provide up to three conscripts for the military, with no exceptions. The conscription drive is being enforced through local military recruitment committees, which include ward and village tract administrators.