475 young people were arrested in townships across Yangon Region in January 2025, according to a 4 February report by the Rangoon Scout Network, which monitors junta activities in Yangon Region.

The methods of arrest, in Yangon Region townships such as Tamwe, Insein, Thaketa, Ahlone, and Thingangyu breaks down as follows: 241 were arrested on the street; 77 were arrested in raids carried out under the pretext of checking overnight guest lists; 58 were arrested during surprise checks; 51 arrests were based on specific intelligence and 48 were arrested and forcibly conscripted.

The figures were based on compiled lists, data from partner organisations, and media reports. RSN also pointed out that the actual number of youths arrested in January is likely higher.

An RSN official said to DMG: “Among those arrested were also ethnic Arakan (Rakhine) people. While it’s difficult to determine the exact number, we estimate between 20 and 50 Arakan people were detained. The arrests were carried out by a mix of junta troops, police officers, junta-appointed township and ward administrators, and Pyu-Saw-Htee militia members aligned with the junta. The abducted youths were forced to pay between 1 million and 3 million MMK as a way to secure their release. Those who couldn’t afford it were inevitably drafted into military service.”

The increasing number of arrests of young men and women in Yangon Region has been causing public concern.

RSN has advised Yangon Region residents to stay indoors at night and if they do go out to avoid quiet areas because, due to frequent electricity blackouts, many places are very dark at night.

In the first week of January, the junta arrested seven Arakan youths, one of whom was a woman, as they were returning from working at a factory in Hlaingthaya Township. The woman was released, but as of 7 February the whereabouts of the six arrested men was still unknown.

The released woman said: “On the way back from our factory, I was arrested along with six other men. The soldiers released me after checking my phone and national identification card (NIC). The others have not been released, and their families still do not know where they are.”

Also, since the second week of January, the junta has started forcibly registering young men of conscription age in the Yangon Region townships of Dagon Myothit, Thaketa, Hlaingthaya, Dawbon, Shwepyitha, and Pazundaung, according to residents of those areas.

A young man from Arakan State currently staying in Yangon Region said: “Yesterday [5 February], I saw a lot of soldiers gathering in Shwepyitha Township. They were aggressively making arrests, so it’s important to be cautious and avoid them. I don't even dare go out alone now. In this situation, boys need to be extra vigilant.”

RSN is a non-profit organisation that operates mainly in Yangon region and was formed on 1 October 2021. It gathers information about junta activities with support from the public via Telegram. Then it disseminates that information to the public via social media so that people can be warned about junta activities and take measures to protect themselves.