A young student from Arakan was taken by a group of armed men wearing masks in Hlaing Tharyar Township, located in the Yangon Region.
The individual who has been detained is identified as Maung Naing Win Htun (23 years old), hailing from Chaung Wa Village, Chaung Wa Village Tract, Ramree Township in Arakan State, and he currently resides with his mother in Hlaing Tharyar.
On October 4, at approximately 10 PM, Maung Naing Win Htun was going to a pharmacy with a friend to purchase medicine when a group of masked armed individuals in a van (license plate 1B-3632) appeared and kidnapped them at gunpoint, according to a report by Maung Naing Win Htun's mother to the Narinjara News Agency.
"My child and a friend from the same village visited the pharmacy located at the end of the street. We resided close to the Zay Lay bus stop. My son's friend experienced pain in his leg and went to purchase medicine for him. At that time, a group of masked individuals in a vehicle appeared and abducted them. My son's companion had already gone back to his residence. My son has not returned. I felt extremely distressed. My son was innocent. He never went outside," the mother stated.
Maung Naing Win Htun's mother added that even though both individuals were first taken into custody, his friend, who had an injured leg, was forced out of the vehicle in the middle of the road.
“They kicked him out of the vehicle on the road due to his painful leg. He was visiting my home for a short time from Thingangyun. He stated that he was threatened with being shot if he made eye contact with them. He was unsure of his exact location where he was left. Fortunately, on the way, he came across a car from the neighborhood and another car nearby that assisted him in making his escape," she stated.
The individual taken into custody, Maung Naing Win Tun, is a first-year student enrolled in a distance learning program at Taungup University. He presently lives in Hlaing Tharyar Township, located in the Yangon Region, and intends to pursue further education.
The mother has informed the Hlaing Tharyar Township Police Station that her son is missing, asserting that he is innocent and if he will be freed upon the payment of money, she will oblige.
The mother has asked that if anyone spots Maung Naing Win Tun on the street, they should get in touch with her.
Because of the repeated occurrences of young individuals being lured to enlist in the army in Hlaing Tharyar Township, there are suspicions that these events might represent an unlawful recruitment of soldiers.
On October 4, similar events occurred involving young individuals being lured near dormitories in certain areas of Hlaing Tharyar Township.
Residents indicate a widespread practice of portering in Hlaing Tharyar Township, with numerous individuals being drafted and not set free. It is reported that the armed group gathers in small groups in dimly lit streets and frequently coerces individuals passing by into joining the military.
Residents caution that the incidence of portering may rise in the Yangon Region prior to the elections, advising the public to remain vigilant.
In June of last year, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and local administrators from the military council entered various townships and neighborhoods in Yangon, populated primarily by Rakhine individuals, to arrest porters.
The recruits are required to participate in militia training and are sent to regions with heavy combat, resulting in many fatalities in front line battles.
