MyoTaw: Youths Being Detained for 27th Conscription Intake, Only Substitution Allowed

Youths are being arrested for the 27th batch of military conscription, and only substitution is allowed, it is said

July 23

The junta military has started arbitrarily arresting youths at checkpoint entrances and exits of towns more than before, beginning with the 27th batch of military conscription, and it is learned that only substitution will be allowed.

Since the military training for the 27th batch is set to begin on July 25, youths are being forcibly arrested in various ways across different townships nationwide for conscription, it is reported.

"These days, quite a few people have been caught at the Magwe-Min Hla junction. They say only substitution will be allowed. Before, you could pay money and get released with some excuse, but now that's not possible. It's stricter. If you fail the medical exam at the top level, you'll be sent back. They no longer allow settling with money at the lower level," a local resident of Min Hla town told MyoTaw.

Under the People's Military Service Law enacted by the junta government, the list of evaders among male youths aged 18 to 35 who are required to serve in the military has been sent to the respective townships, and lists of CDM staff have also been provided to checkpoints, it is reported.

"On the Magwe road, they say they are checking passenger vehicles with PSMS. They also say they have lists of police deserters and army deserters. One police deserter was arrested after being checked with PSMS. It's not known if he was released. They mainly check passenger buses. If you go in private cars, they don't check much," a local resident told MyoTaw.

At yesterday's July 22 session of the fake parliament held in Naypyidaw, MP U Gun Wan from Hkamti constituency asked a question about how the process that goes beyond the People's Military Service Law and its regulations would be regulated, to which General Min Thu replied:

"Under the Military Service Law, men aged 18 to 35 are obligated to serve in the military, and those summoned for military service are evading in other regions, causing difficulties in summoning them on the ground. To arrest evaders, the names of those summoned for military service have been distributed to town entry and exit checkpoints, and if found during inspections, they are immediately summoned. Additionally, during guest list checks in wards and villages under the pretext of regional security and rule of law, those evading military service are being sought and summoned," he said.

After the junta military activated the Military Service Law in February 2024, starting in March, over 5,000 youths were forcibly conscripted monthly through a lottery system, and currently, the 27th batch of military conscription has been reached.

MyoTaw News Channel