By Maung Dagon / MPA
Local administrators appointed by Myanmar’s military regime have been extorting money from residents in several Yangon townships under the guise of supporting conscription efforts, according to local sources.
Residents from several Yangon townships, including Mayangone, Hlaingtharya, Shwepyithar, and Hlaing, report that ward and local administrators are going door-to-door demanding payments ranging from 10,000 to 35,000 kyat per household.
“We haven’t heard any official announcements. It’s quiet, but they are collecting 10,000 kyat per household,” said the wife of a man who received a conscription notice in Mayangone Township.
She added that while her husband was summoned, there has been no further communication or action from the authorities.
A resident of Mayangone confirmed that collections in one ward were being carried out under the directive of the ward administrator, who is overseeing the fundraising efforts.
Similar reports have emerged from Hlaingtharya Township, where residents say 10,000 kyat per household is being collected to support those conscripted into military service.
“In neighboring wards, household heads have already handed over the money. We don’t know when they’ll come to us, but it’s a common practice,” said a 45-year-old woman from Hlaingtharya, whose daughter is of conscription age.
Another Hlaingtharya resident noted that these collections usually coincide with conscription cycles.
“They don’t collect every month, but when conscription is approaching, they start. The amount varies—sometimes it’s 10,000 kyat, other times 35,000 kyat. Last month, it was 35,000 kyat. They only collect from households with eligible conscripts,” he explained.
In February, forced conscriptions in Yangon surged, with 106 individuals taken from the streets, 63 seized from guest lists, 59 detained based on tip-offs, and five others arrested under unclear circumstances, according to a 5 March report by the Rangoon Scout Network.
Meanwhile, in the Ayeyarwady and Magway regions, where the military holds near-total control, conscription efforts have intensified. Local sources say troops and their affiliates are aggressively rounding up conscripts, particularly in townships along the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River.
“They often raid homes late at night to take conscripts. Many young people are now in hiding to avoid being caught,” said a 50-year-old woman from Bogale Township.
In Bogale and Thabaung townships, residents are also being forced to pay 35,000 kyat every three months to support conscription efforts. Additionally, the cost of hiring substitutes to avoid conscription has risen.
“Previously, it cost less than 1 million kyat. Now, it’s at least 1.2 million kyat,” the woman added.
In Magway and parts of the Ayeyarwady Region, households are being charged between 10,000 and 30,000 kyat per month to fund conscription, according to local sources.
The military regime enacted the People’s Military Service Law on Jan.23 without parliamentary approval or public consultation. However, authorities have also taken action against abuses. On Jan.25, the Central Conscription Committee arrested a police officer, Than Zaw, and local administrators in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region, for extorting 1.3 million kyat from the parents of a conscript. The money was later returned to the family, according to military reports.
During a Jan.28 meeting of the Central Conscription Committee, Chairman General Maung Maung Aye warned against misuse of the conscription law, stating that those found guilty of misconduct would face strict action. He also noted that investigations into abuses are ongoing.
Editor: Ko San
Translator – Alice Wai
