Salai Moe Aung, Narinjara News, 7 February 2025 

Junta forces arrested five displaced Arakanese youths in Yangon, and one was freed after paying a ransom of 3 million kyats, according to sources close to them. 

The detained persons consist of three young males in their 20s from Chaung Kauk Ward, Taungup Town, Arakan State, along with two young males from Thein Taung Ward who had escaped the violence in Shwepyitha Township and Tamwe Township in Yangon. 

An insider familiar with the youths indicated that the junta forces apprehended them after reviewing the guest list from the night before at their homes on February 1 and 3.

"They possessed a report of overnight guests. By the time the junta forces reviewed the list and apprehended them, it was already dark. The previous day, the officials also captured images of them in the room. I think they were conscripted for military duty," the source stated. 

Of the five young men, one of the two detained in Tamwe Township was freed that evening after providing a 3 million kyat ransom. 

A source familiar with them remarked that the other four young men have not been contacted yet. 

The detained persons are aged between 25 and 30, and their relatives do not know the reasons behind their arrest. 

On January 23, the junta released a People's Military Service Law that requires military service for both males and young females. 

After this announcement, junta troops in Yangon started detaining young men at their residences for military duty and also apprehended others at home as replacements if those on the conscription list were absent. They are additionally holding young men coming back from work at night, causing displaced individuals from Arakan State in Yangon to feel uneasy and fearful. 

A young Arakanese who escaped to Yangon stated, "Life in Yangon is scary too. I fear that any day might be my time. Every day, I hear stories of people being forced to work as porters or disappearing, which makes me feel utterly unsafe. I've been informed that overnight visitor list verifications are happening in locations where other friends are lodged, and conscription lists are being gathered. It seems that 11/NRC holders are being singled out, and our freedom of movement is restricted. We’re even scared to claim our Arakanese identity in public. 11/ NRC holders are afraid to leave Yangon." 

A statement from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on January 1 revealed that over 500 Arakanese individuals were detained in Yangon from the military coup's onset until December 31, 2024, raising the national arrest total to 28,051. 

Furthermore, the Rangoon Scout Network noted on February 4 that approximately 500 young people were detained in Yangon just in January.  ( Photo: VOA/Burmese)