Photo:Crd
Pan Pan
It is now becoming clear that despite the Myanmar junta’s claim that they will begin enforcing the military conscription law after the Thingyan Water Festival, the authorities are already taking action.
The military junta initiated the enforcement of the mandatory conscription law on 12 March in Yangon. They are conducting door-to-door visits and collecting information of eligible young adults in certain townships for military service. Additionally, summon letters bearing the signature of the ward’s administrator and the precise home address of the inductee are being dispatched.
Although the junta announced that new recruitment for the conscription law would begin by the end of April, recruitment actually commenced from the second week of March. Consequently, young adults are feeling anxious and fleeing their homes. Those intending to leave the country are doing so by any available means, fearing the junta’s restrictions before the officially permitted period, as reported by residents of Yangon.
“A family from our wards said that they received a summons notice, so they sent their young adults away. Some families also received the notice. Every day becomes a sorrowful day for parents. Everyone is afraid. Some are crying, some are running away, and some are holding a money bag. Things are happening like that at the moment in Myanmar,” a resident from Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, Yangon, said.
These days, the junta is said to be gathering the lists for eligible youth in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Tharkayta Township, Mayangone Township, South Dagon Township, Hlaing Tharyar Township, Kungyangon Township, and Taikkyi Township in Yangon Region, and drawing lots for military service in some townships
A young adult, who initially planned to pursue further education in Dubai but fearing restrictions if he received a summon notice, said that he has opted to relocate to Japan where relatives reside.
“I was initially trying to continue my education in Dubai. However, I am afraid I will not be permitted to leave the country if the summons notice is received. So, I am going to Japan, where my relatives live first. My family is also worried. Even though we set aside our money for that purpose, in case things do not go according to our plan. So, I have to follow in a convenient way. I would like to encourage young
adults to reconsider the incentives the junta gives. The salary (for those who have to join mandatory military service) that they promise is nothing. Even they themselves are starving,” said the young man.
The junta set the military training period for military service for six months. The residents said that the junta has persuaded the people that the recruits must serve in the military for one year and six months after graduating and will be paid a salary of 470,000 kyat from the beginning of the training. But in some townships, the promised monthly salary for those who will have to join mandatory conscription is just 200,000 kyat.
Yangon residents said that the junta’s terms are only lies and are a deception to recruit young adults when job opportunities are scarce.
Moreover, a young man who fled to Thailand due to the law enacted on 10 February said that he was depressed as he has not got a job yet in Thailand.
“I came here after selling my car. However, I am slowly becoming depressed as I have not yet found a job. Since I do not want to work under the military junta, I have to search for any kind of job here. Now, everyone is giving up everything and starting over. We have to be strong to overcome this.
