The military council has begun implementing the national conscription law in Taunggyi town of Shan state by collecting lists of people eligible for army recruitment, according to local sources. People who have been displaced from Karenni State who have taken shelter in Taunggyi town are worried about being forcibly recruited into the Burma army.
A 30-year-old male Karenni IDP staying in Taunggyi said that officials have gone house-to-house in Taunggyi town collecting population lists.
“Officials have collected lists of eligible males aged between 18 and 35. Parents are worried about their sons. People are so sad and disappointed. We hate this crisis situation,” the Karenni male IDP told Kantarawaddy Times.
The male Karenni IDP said that officials have collected population list from both local people and Karenni IDPs who have taken shelter in Taunggyi town.
“I do not know how many people are on the lists. Unfortunately, my name is already on the list,” the Karenni male IDP told Kantarawaddy Times.
A female Karenni IDP taking shelter in Taunggyi town said that Karenni IDPs are already facing many difficulties accessing food and shelter. After the activation of the national conscription law, Karenni IDPs in Taunggyi town are worried about being forcibly recruited into the Burma army.
“Officials haven’t come to collect my name yet, but I think they will come soon. I heard that they are also collecting names of women. I do not know where to flee for my safety,” the Karenni female IDP told Kantarawaddy Times.
The military council activated the national conscription law on 10 February. According to the law, men aged between 18 and 35 and women aged between 18 and 27 must serve in the armed forces for two years. People with professional skills such as medical doctors have a higher age threshold for eligibility, up to age 45 for men and up to age 35 for women.
Gen Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the military council, said that military training would start after the water festival in April. The Burma army has a plan to recruit 60,000 people per year. The first batch of military training will include 5,000 people.
