Junta’s conscription bill creates fear and worry among youth

February 16, 2024

HURFOM: The military junta has enacted the forced conscription bill on February 10th, 2024 which has created fear and worry amongst those youth in the age range for military service.

According to the conscription bill, men who are in the 18-35 age range and women who are in the 18-27 age range can be selected for military service.

“Not only young men but also their parents are worried about this bill. Fear spreads among them. Parents are thinking of sending their sons abroad to avoid forced military service and some don’t know what to do,” said a mother of a young man.

Since the announcement of the bill and rumors are spreading.

“We’ve heard that soldiers are arresting young men to use them as “porters”. We can’t sleep well at night. We’re in hiding already for two nights. Now, we dare not travel away even in day time. We’re afraid of being arrested and used as “porters”. The situation is getting worse in both urban and rural areas,” said one man.

The Mon State Revolution Force (MSRF) and other revolutionary forces are welcoming young people who do not want to be conscripted into military service under the dictatorship. On February 13th, the MSRF released a statement announcing they want to recruit new members. Hundreds of young people contacted them and made an inquiry, according to the MSRF.

The spokesperson of the military council told the media that the process for the forced conscription bill would start after the Songkran Festival and 5,000 civilians would be selected per month.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News