Six Rakhine youths returning from Yangon to Rakhine were arrested by the military council at Pyay highway terminal and then sent to Taunggyi for military service, according to a relative who spoke to Narinjara.

“They were arrested at Pyay bus terminal last Monday. After their arrest, they were taken to the intelligence unit (known as Sarapa) station near the Pyay railway station for questioning. They have now been sent to Taunggyi. We were able to contact them from Taunggyi until last night, but we haven’t been able to reach them today,” the relative said.

The youths, aged between 17 and 30, hail from Kyauktaw Township, Ann Township, and Myebon Township. One of the individuals, who is over 30, is from Ann Township, while a 17-year-old is from Kyauktaw Township.

“They were traveling to Rakhine from Yangon by car when they were detained at the bus station. I suspect that brokers are now cooperating with the military to profit from these arrests. It’s very concerning,” he added.

The military council has strictly prohibited Rakhine people from traveling in Burma proper, so they have to travel secretly by paying money to brokers.

He continued, saying that his brother informed him over the phone yesterday that the military would conduct blood tests in Taunggyi, and if they fail, they will not be accepted for military service.

Many Rakhine youths have been arrested unexpectedly at bus stations in Yangon and Pyay, with most being sent to undergo military training.

Most of the detained Rakhine youths are being sent to the Taunggyi Military Service Training Center in Shan State and are being forced to serve in the military.