Residents in Kengtung, eastern Shan State, say military regime forces are abducting young people and demanding ransoms of up to 10 million kyats (approximately USD 2,400) for their release, as the town’s security situation continues to deteriorate.

According to local sources, the practice has intensified since the final week of February. Troops have reportedly shifted from nighttime operations to openly seizing youths in the early evening. Witnesses say military personnel use unmarked private vehicles to detain young men in public areas.

“In the past, these abductions happened late at night, but now they are taking place in broad daylight. They have a specific holding site where detainees are kept. When a young person goes missing, everyone assumes they are being held there. Parents who can afford it pay 10 million kyats to secure their release. Those who cannot are effectively forced into military service,” a local woman told SHAN.

Residents say enforced disappearances have become increasingly common, fueling widespread fear among families.

A local man described a rapidly deteriorating security environment, with residents facing both arbitrary detention and rising crime.

“We are seeing frequent robberies, murders, and muggings. No one dares to go out at night anymore. The military demands conscripts every month; those who cannot serve are required to pay a fee. That money is then used to fund further abductions, as others are seized to fill the ranks. There is simply no security left,” he said.

Locals also report a lack of effective law enforcement, alleging that authorities have failed to respond to the surge in criminal activity. Some residents claim that suspects involved in theft and robbery are released in exchange for bribes.

Since 2024, Kengtung has experienced a sharp decline in public security, with increasing reports of motorcycle theft, violent crime, and forced abductions. Residents say the military continues to prioritize forced recruitment and ransom extraction, further deepening fear and instability in the community.