Arakanese youth in Yangon fear for safety amid regime census of young graduates

By Admin 25 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

25 December 2025, Yangon

Arakanese young people who have travelled to Yangon for various reasons say they are concerned for their safety as Myanmar’s military regime conducts a census of young university graduates.

In recent days, junta-appointed ward administrators in Yangon have been collecting lists of graduates.

A young Arakanese man in Yangon said residents, including Arakanese people who came to Myanmar’s commercial city to escape conflict or for other reasons, are worried.

“The junta-appointed ward administrators are collecting data in each ward to see whether there are any graduates. They say they are not sure why they are conducting the census. We are worried about our safety because we don’t know the purpose,” he said.

Graduates in several townships, including Dagon Myothit, Pazundaung, Thingangyun, South Okkalapa, Thaketa and Mingalar Taungnyunt, are reportedly avoiding their neighbourhoods due to security concerns.

An Arakanese man living in Thaketa Township said ward authorities told residents the data collection was linked to preparations for an election, while others believed it was related to military service.

“They say they are listing people with degrees to fill positions needed for the election. But some people say the census is aimed at recruiting young graduates for military service,” he said.

After the 2021 coup, the military regime, which has suffered military setbacks in ethnic areas, enacted a military service law and has forced young men from areas under its control, including Yangon, into military service.

As a result, increasing numbers of young people in Myanmar have fled abroad or moved to other regions.

“In Insein Township, the list of graduates has not yet been collected. My friends told me other townships are already doing it. But I can’t say Insein won’t also collect the list,” said another Arakanese youth.

Residents say anxiety is growing in Yangon as regime-affiliated groups carry out guest list checks, household censuses and arrests.

According to a December 22 statement by the Rangoon Scout Network (RSN), at least 15 people were arrested in recent days in Yangon’s Hlaingthaya, Thingangyun, Kamaryut and North Okkalapa townships.