Residents in Hopong Township, southern Shan State, face severe financial distress and constant fear as both the Myanmar military junta and the allied Pa-O National Organization (PNO) extort monthly conscription fees while continuing arbitrary arrests and abductions. Despite paying mandatory levies of around 50,000 kyats per month—imposed even on empty properties—local families receive no official exemptions or documentation. Young people aged 18 to 34 remain exposed to street roundups, checkpoint searches, and forced recruitment.