Continuous Arrests of Local Residents in Mawlamyine Ahead of the Election

October 24, 2025

HURFOM: Residents in Mawlamyine, Mon State, report that men are being continuously arrested as the upcoming general election organized by the Junta draws closer.

On the night of October 21, around 10 p.m., thirteen men were detained at an alcohol shop in Myaing Thar Yar Ward, according to eyewitnesses. The men were arrested as they were leaving the shop after drinking. Among those detained were two older men, aged 55 and 58.

“They are all from the Bago Region. They came here to work in construction. They drink at that shop almost every day. Now all thirteen of them have been arrested,” said a male eyewitness.

The arrests were carried out by the Junta’s Pyu Saw Htee militia, along with soldiers and police officers. Even the older men were detained and forced to cook for the soldiers. None of those arrested have been released.

Over the past two weeks, more than 40 men have been arrested across Mawlamyine Township, and locals believe many of them have been forcibly conscripted into the military.

“They are arresting people like porters. Pyu Saw Htee members are detaining people from their neighborhoods. Those who are taken are sent to military recruitment centers and then to training camps,” a local resident explained.

According to sources close to the Junta, nearly 4,000 conscripts have already been recruited in Mon State from Batch 1 to Batch 18, with around 230 people being sent to the army each month. Because of this, many young men now fear for their safety and try to avoid traveling to reduce the risk of arrest and forced recruitment.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News