Chin National Army (CNA) /Photo; – CNA
Mizzima
The Chin National Front (CNF) criticised the junta’s Conscription Law and called on young people of conscription age to join efforts to topple the military dictatorship.
The comments were made in a statement released to commemorate the 76th Chin National Day on 20 February.
It also said that the law would be hard to enforce in some areas.
CNF spokesperson Salai Htet Ni said: “This directive may be enforced in certain major cities in Chin State where the military regime has a presence. However, its effectiveness is limited. If the junta enforces this law, adults will come to join the Chin National Army (CNA) or the Chinland Defence Force (CDF).”
He said that the conscription had been brought in because military personnel have been depleted in the three years since the coup and during that period the army had been unable to recruit enough soldiers.
The CNF statement also said that the conscripts would be used by the army as human shields.
The junta announced the Conscription Law on 10 February 2024. It states that males aged 18-35 and females aged 18-27 can be compelled to serve in the military for up to two years.
A committee, the Central Body for Summoning the People’s Military Servants, was then set up to conduct censuses in various townships to find out who qualifies for conscription.
Residents in areas of Chin State under junta control have been expressing concern over the junta’s collection of household census data in downtown neighbourhoods.
On 13 February the Conscription Law was declared unlawful by the National Unity Government (NUG) which also urged civilians not to comply with the law. The NUG said that it believes the law is going to be used to conscript people and use them as human shields during fighting to safeguard junta interests.
Defence forces have also urged people to escape conscription by joining and seeking refuge with defence forces.
