According to family members of missing youth, more than 30 young people, including minors, have gone missing in Yangon between August 25 and September 3, with some reportedly being forcibly recruited for military service. In South Okkalapa Township, 25-year-old Maung Lwin Ko Htet disappeared on August 25 while returning home and was allegedly detained for forced labor by military personnel who are now demanding ransom money, according to his father U Kyaw Swar Htwe. Maung Lwin Ko Htet was abducted by a group of people around 7:20 PM while returning home from Stanol Myanmar Service Center. On September 2, someone identifying himself as Captain Kyaw Naing from Infantry Battalion 20 called demanding 800,000 kyats as ransom. The family has filed missing person reports with both the South Okkalapa Police Station and Anti-Trafficking Police Force and continues searching for him.
Similarly, 26-year-old Maung Naing Naing, who has health issues, went missing around 8 PM on August 26 near Yan Pyay ward in Thaketa Township while returning home. Despite filing a missing person report with local police, his family has received no information about his whereabouts. Family members noted that Maung Naing Naing has a stomach condition and had recently visited a medical clinic for treatment. In Bahan Township, 15-year-old Maung Kaung Kaung Myat (aka) Kaunt Khant Aung left his home on August 28 and has not been seen since.
Additionally, 19-year-old Maung Htala Kyi Oo Lian from Insein Township disappeared on August 29 after going to downtown Yangon to attend Japanese language classes. His parents continue searching but have found no trace of him so far. According to reports from families to local media, over 30 young people, including minors, have gone missing across Yangon during the 10-day period from August 25 to September 3. The pattern of disappearances has raised concerns about forced recruitment by military forces, though in many cases the exact circumstances remain unknown.
