The Myanmar military junta is targeting homeless individuals in its conscription efforts in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, according to local residents. This drive has reportedly resulted in the disappearance of street children and homeless adults, as conscription patrols comb through markets, parks, railway stations, and other public areas.
Residents say the once-visible homeless population has dwindled drastically. “We see hardly any people living on the streets these days. We have heard that they were snatched by patrolling junta soldiers and forcibly recruited into the Myanmar military,” a resident told The Irrawaddy.
The military regime’s campaign reportedly extends to children, with street kids and other vulnerable individuals being coerced into joining the military. Meanwhile, wealthy families have allegedly been bribing officials with sums ranging from 2 million to 5 million kyats (US$953-$2,380) to exempt their children from conscription. This has fueled a black market for “buying and selling” substitutes, where homeless people and migrant workers are often targeted.
Charity workers estimate Mandalay’s homeless population was approximately 100,000 before the 2021 coup. The Mandalay Region Social Welfare Department now puts the figure at just 60,000, suggesting a significant number of individuals have been conscripted or disappeared. Activists in the area describe these actions as tantamount to human trafficking, with some individuals reportedly being provided with fake ID cards to meet recruitment requirements.
One activist in Chanmyathzi Township said, “Most of the young [homeless] people have ended up in the military. Police and administrative officials have detained them to make money. They use these individuals to replace others selected for mandatory military service.”
A business owner in Mandalay highlighted the misuse of homeless individuals, claiming some have been recruited as henchmen for junta officials, aiding in extortion and intimidation. “Some homeless people have even bought homes and cars after becoming henchmen for local administrators working hand in glove with Pyu Saw Htee militias,” the business owner said.
The junta claims to be protecting street children through its Ministry of Social Welfare and related agencies. However, since the coup, many charity workers and philanthropists who previously supported homeless communities have been arrested or have fled the country, leaving these vulnerable populations with little to no aid.
The desperate mismanagement of Myanmar’s population by the junta is evident in its exploitation of vulnerable groups to sustain its military forces. By forcibly recruiting homeless individuals and neglecting social welfare, the regime not only undermines human rights but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty, displacement, and exploitation. These actions further highlight the regime's disregard for the well-being of its citizens in its struggle to maintain power amid growing resistance.
The military regime activated Myanmar’s long-dormant Conscription Law in February 2022 following significant losses on the battlefield. The law mandates two years of military service for men aged 18 to 35. While the regime initially announced plans to recruit 5,000 conscripts per batch, evidence suggests these quotas are being surpassed through forced recruitment practices. Military training for the ninth batch of conscripts began this week.
 

BOB Post