Authorities from most townships in Yangon Region are collecting personal information of young people who are covered by the Conscription Law, sources said.
According to the Conscription Law, militia service refers to citizens who serve in the military under this law. A person of military service age is defined as every citizen who has reached the age of 18 but has not yet reached the age of 35. For females, this includes citizens who have completed 18 years of age but have not yet reached 27 years. For male experts, it encompasses citizens who have reached 18 years but have not yet reached 45 years. Similarly, for female experts, it includes citizens who have reached 18 years but have not yet reached 35 years. The period of military service is 24 months, and if they are called up as military technicians, they must serve for a period not exceeding 36 months. If there is an emergency in the country, the government can extend the period of militia service up to five years, the law stated.
Currently, in most townships in Yangon Region, it is reported that forms are being sent to young people who are covered by the law through ward administrators.
"On March 14, there was news that young people aged between 24 and 30 would be called. This morning, I heard at the meeting that young people aged between 18 and 35 will be called for services in accordance with the law. These lists are issued by Department of Immigration. The respective administrators of the wards updated the original list whether they are in school or they are working in abroad. Of course, they check the list and ground conditions to see if it fits. The last instruction is to take three photos. The background color of the license photo is blue. Form 30 (a) given by them to the ward administrators. There, the ward officials took a photo of the Form 30 that they signed and wished for themselves. If the parent takes responsibility on behalf of their son, the parent must take a photo of the document signed by them. That being said, three photographs of the respective person and the signature must be recorded. They asked it by March 17 latest," said a resident of Thongwa Township, Yangon Region.
Currently, they are not recruiting for military service, but they are checking to see if they are compatible with the list on the ground. Form 30 (a) is still at the stage of being filled. The list has been collected and they still do not know when they will have to serve in the military, said a Thongwa resident.
“They have to put the forms to send to the respective authorities. People will be selected on the basis of selection. People working abroad or employee or in bad health will be exemption. It will be made by superior authorities. The township and ward administrators will have to submit the list. We don’t know whether the recruitment will be made by authorities from the region or central. We don't know when the call will be," said a resident of Thongwa Township.
A resident of Thongwa said that news emerged that the age to serve in the military will be from the age of 24 to 30 and later he learnt that the military service age is as per stated in the law. So his sons will be served.
"Now they can't escape from the law anymore," said a resident of Thongwa.
Similarly, there is an enumeration in North Oakkalapa Township, and a resident of North Oakkalapa Township said that passport numbers are requested for those who work abroad.
“My brother is working in Thailand under MoU. When they came, I told them about it, and they asked for his passport number," said a resident of North Oakkalapa Township.
In the collection of such lists, there are also reviews to prevent bribery in the ward offices.
Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein said at the coordination meeting on Yangon Region's military recruitment on March 13 that the data collection must be accurate and correct.
He said we must pay attention to ensure accuracy and correctness in collecting statistics for military conscription. We conduct lectures to make people widely aware of and understand the Conscription Law and pamphlets should be distributed in bus stops and markets. The working conditions must be reported back to the Central Committee.
In addition, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein said they promulgated the Conscription Law to provide military education and national defense, and in order to implement this law, according to Section 7 of the Conscription Law, the central recruitment committee under the Ministry of Defence established the regional and state recruitment committees by notification No. (2/2024) dated February 14. Therefore, the regional, state, district and township recruitment committees and ward and village group level enumeration teams have been formed.
The State Administration Council has stated that reports in an exile media that the names of four to 50 youths per wards and villages in townships in Yangon Region are being distributed with summonses and that in some neighborhoods the youths have been selected by draw and taken away by the Tatmadaw, are not true.
