About 100 military andpolice deserters were taken from the prison in Sittwe ofRakhine State for deployingthem in military duties, saida person close to the prison authority.

They were taken by the military vehicles by noon on Thursday.

"The deserted prisoners weretaken away for engaging in militaryservices again," he added.

Among them, thereare individuals who were serving lifesentences for seriuos crimes likerape. Some were even sentenced todeath.

They havebeen seemingly promised of amnesty if theyjoin the military activities. The deserters are understood to betransported to 20th infantry battalion in Sittwe.

"As the juntaforces are facing scarcity of armed personnel, they may deploythese individuals," said a local resident.

The Sittwe prison currentlygives shelter to nearly 2,000 inmates.

On 3 December,the military councilannounced that the deserters whowish to return would bere-engaged in regular services.