Mizzima-Aug 29
Myanmar military and police forces reportedly conducted forced conscription of civilians, including youths, in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region, on the night of 26 August, according to a source from the regional military council office. The military council instructed that to meet recruitment quotas conscription efforts should be carried out at night. Previous attempts failed due to individuals fleeing mandatory military service in Pathein, the source stated. The first, second, and third batches of military service recruits reportedly did not meet the required numbers, prompting regional military officials to resort to these measures.
The source further explained that junta soldiers and police are authorized to detain individuals for various reasons at roadblocks to fulfill military service quotas. In recent days, local youths have reported increased roadblocks and checks by junta soldiers and police in Pathein, leading to concerns about forced conscription. One local youth said, “When I heard about the conscriptions, I wasn’t sure which neighborhoods were affected. If this is really happening, it’s best not to go out at night. I don’t have the money to flee to avoid military service, so I’ll have to avoid being caught as much as possible.” There have been similar reports from the Ayeyarwady and Bago regions, where men have been arrested under various pretexts and forced into military service. A resident from Hinthada recounted an incident where a young man transporting rice to the Bago Region was intercepted and given the choice between joining the military or paying 3 million Kyats, which he ultimately paid to avoid conscription.Following the enactment of the conscription law, many young people reportedly fled the country through legal and illegal means to evade military service, while others have joined revolutionary forces. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/08/29/13372
