At least 18 people have been detained on the streets of Yangon over the past week, according to data released by the Rangoon Scout Network (RSN), as fears of forced military recruitment continue to grip Myanmar’s commercial capital.
Between 16 and 22 February, 11 individuals were arrested in townships including North and South Dagon, Bahane, and Sanchaung, under the pretext of public drinking while sitting on roadsides. An additional seven people were reportedly picked up while simply walking in public spaces.
Local sources suggest these arrests are often a thin veil for fulfilling military quotas. “They mainly strike at night,” a police source in Yangon told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA). “Young people assume they are safe in their own neighborhoods in the early evening. The claim of alcohol consumption is often just an excuse; in reality, this is about securing bodies for military service.”
According to the RSN report, the arrests are frequently carried out by a combination of soldiers, police, and local administration officials. Witnesses say these operations have become a lucrative business for local authorities, who often demand bribes for the release of detainees.
“While some manage to escape during the raids, neighborhood residents rarely intervene for fear of violent repercussions,” the source added.
The atmosphere in Yangon remains tense. In a separate incident on 21 February, pro-junta media outlets reported the seizure of six 107mm rockets found in a field near Hlegu Township. The rockets were allegedly aimed and ready for launch, though no group has claimed responsibility.
The latest figures from RSN follow a similar pattern from the previous week (9–15 February), during which 19 people were detained under similar circumstances.
Since the activation of the People’s Military Service Law, arbitrary arrests on the streets of Myanmar’s major cities have become a common occurrence, forcing many young people to stay indoors or flee to border areas to avoid being drafted into the frontline of the country’s civil war.
