Junta steps up arrests of civilians in Yangon

By Admin 10 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

10 July 2025, Yangon

The military regime has reportedly been carrying out a series of arrests of civilians in townships in Yangon Region in recent days.

According to data from the Rangoon Scout Network, 59 civilians were arrested across 12 townships in Yangon Region in one week beginning July 1.

Junta officials and soldiers are reportedly recruiting young men for military service through roadside checks in townships such as Hlaingthayar, Shwepyitha, Insein, Mingaladon, North Okkalapa, South Okkalapa, North Dagon, South Dagon, Sangyoung, Mayangon, Hlaing and Thanlyan.

On the evening of July 1, junta officials and soldiers conducted road checks throughout Yangon and reportedly arrested at least 12 civilians.

Junta officials and soldiers also reportedly arrested more than 20 civilians in residential areas in Hlaing Township, according to military records.

An official from the Rangoon Scout Network said the increase in civilian arrests was due to a shortage of military conscripts.

"The regime is still arresting civilians in various ways, as it needs military conscripts every month for new military training batches. After the 10th batch of military conscripts, the number of civilians arrested has been reduced, but I hear that the rules have been relaxed recently," said an official from Rangoon Scout Network.

The military regime has recently been using its Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS) at checkpoints to check data on identity cards and smart cards, and arrest people and relatives who are in some way connected to anti-regime movements.

"The military regime wants to show that it has full control over the territory. The military regime is following the Chinese government's model, with technical assistance from China. They use the PSMS system to send a message that they can monitor all the people," the official added.

With an increase in disappearances, arrests, and kidnappings in most townships in Yangon Region, city residents are facing persistent security threats.

Those arrested include mostly young men who fall under the military regime's military service law, but can include both men and women.

"The number of missing people is increasing day by day. People feel unsafe even when going to and from work. They have to be more careful if they are late for work," said a local woman in Hlaing Township.

The regime recruits nearly 5,000 young people for each military training batch and is believed to have conscripted around 70,000 men since activating the Conscription Law in February 2024.

Many young people not wanting to serve in the military have left or are seeking to leave the country despite restrictions, and through both legal and illegal avenues.