Mizzima
The junta started the lottery process to decide who gets conscripted in all the Ayeyarwady Region townships from 16 to 18 March, according to residents.
All men between the ages of 18 and 35 have to attend the lotteries where they are forced to draw lots to see who has to serve in the military. According to locals about 30 people every month will be conscripted from each Ayeyarwady Region township.
A source close to the junta explained: “Lots are drawn in every quarter and village. With only 30 people selected from each township for military service, the remaining selected people will be called up in the coming batches.”
They also explained that all the people who were selected for military service at the lottery must then report to their Township General Administration Office.
Explaining what happens to people unlucky enough to be selected in the lottery process a Pathein Township resident said: “I was selected to serve in the military during the lot drawing. The junta verifies whether the chosen individuals comply with the [relevant] laws. If not, they are rejected, and the process continues with the remaining candidates… I am currently anxious about being selected. Escape is not an option.”
According to residents of Maubin Township, junta personnel have been threatening to arrest and punish the families of anyone who is selected in the lottery and then tries to flee.
If enough people from a township volunteer to join the army lots are not drawn for that township. But, when this happens township administrators have reportedly been forcing residents to give money to support the volunteers, according to locals.
The people who have been selected to serve at the lotteries are anxious according to reports. Many say they do not know on what date their military service will start. According to some sources in Ayeyarwady Region and statements by the junta, training of the first batch of conscripts will start after the Thingyan water festival celebrations in mid-April.
