No Choice, No Future”: Mon State Youths Speak Out on Junta’s Forced Conscription

August 14, 2025

HURFOM: Across Mon State, thousands of young people have been swept into the Junta’s People’s Military Service through intimidation, manipulation, and outright force. Many are now trapped in frontline battles, used as human shields in reinforcement operations. Locals say the urgent need for manpower to carry out ground attacks is driving this unlawful exploitation of Mon youths.

On August 13, the Junta’s Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Kyi Thein, alongside state ministers and Southeastern Command officials, visited newly arrived conscripts from across the state at the Township Basic Training School in Mawlamyine. These young men and women are part of the 16th Batch of the People’s Military Service training. According to local residents, most had little choice but to comply once targeted by local administrators and conscription committees.
“They’re increasing troop numbers to secure their planned election later this year,” said a resident of Thanbyuzayat Township. “It’s not just for polling places — they’re also filling the frontlines. As the election gets closer, recruitment is constant, day and night. They don’t slow down.”

Since June, ward and village administrators have been working with township conscription committees to register all eligible youths. Residents report that summons letters are now arriving, with instructions to report to the township General Administration Department offices.

“Youth of service age must register. They check if you’re abroad or studying. They even make you sign pledges to vote,” explained a Kyaikmayaw Township resident. “Once the letter comes, you have to go. There’s no choice.”
For those who resist, the consequences are severe. Personal data stored in the administrative system makes evasion nearly impossible — house lockdowns, arrest warrants, detention, and steep “replacement fees” of between 6 and 10 million kyat are imposed. Parents, already struggling under economic hardship, face impossible decisions: pay, send their children to war, or flee.
The forced conscription law, enacted on February 10, 2024, orders men aged 18–35 and women aged 18–27 to serve. It also bans eligible youths from leaving the country and restricts passport changes under secret directives. Acting President Min Aung Hlaing has further tightened control by granting regional commanders full administrative and judicial powers in 63 townships, including Mon State, for up to 90 days — powers that residents fear are being abused to justify mass recruitment.

In resistance-controlled areas, the situation is equally dire. As the Junta launches counteroffensives and airstrikes, young people are arrested in raids and sent directly to training camps. More and more are risking dangerous, illegal border crossings into Thailand to escape, while others hide in Ethnic Resistance Organization-controlled territories.
“These are our sons and daughters,” said a mother from Mudon Township. “They should be in school or building their futures, not carrying weapons for a regime that is destroying our communities. This law has stolen our children’s safety, our family stability, and our hope.”

Photo: Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Kyi Thein meeting conscripts from Mon State at the 16th Batch of People’s Military Service training, August 2025 — MOI

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News