The military junta in Ann town, where the westerncommand is based, is asking for a population list from the nearby rural areas,seemingly to form a militia for use as a reserve unit.
Since late August, the junta soldiers from the westerncommand and office of the chief of military security affairs, known asSa-Ya-Pha, have been demanding this list from the administrators of Ann North,Ah Nauk Auk, Ann South village-tracts along with several urban wards.
A local man familiar with thevillage-tracts told Narinjara News that each village-tract has been asked toprovide at least 15 men to form the militia.
“Fifteen men were chosen through a lotteryfrom each village-tract. The soldiers from Sa-Ya-Pha and western command statedthey are following the order from higher officials. These trained men will beused as a reserve unit to face the Arakan Army (AA) fighters in need,” he added.
A military source informed Narinjara News that thoserecruited will receive a short military training program at the westerncommand. Later they will be given responsibility to protect their own villages.
The current recruitment policy will cover the men with ages from 18 to 30 years.
Arakanese and Chin residents in Ann expressed fear andinsecurity due to the junta's recent recruitment initiatives. The juntaenacted and implemented the conscription laws in February this year.
Moreover, the public security and anti-terrorismcentral supervisory teams were formed on 16 August to provide one monthmilitary training and equip those men (aged 35 to 65) with weapons at the ward& village level.
Photograph: Junta soldiers provide military trainingto militiamen. (Photo-CINCDS)
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