- Web Master
- September 19, 2024
The Muslim villagers in Sittwe
locality of Rakhine State have been ordered to serve in the military, otherwise
the military junta has threatened to cut international aid to them.
Moreover the junta imposes a fine of Kyats 50,000 per family if they
refuse.
An activist informed Narinjara News
that there are over 10 Muslim villages in Bu May, Kyaung Ta Gar and Ka Thit Taw
village-tracts in Sittwe township. Some village elders namely U Shwe Maung, U
Saw Hla, U Shwe Hla and U Hla Myint are reportedly recruiting new members from
these villages.
"The junta warned that if
you decline to join the military service, they will cut off NGO aid. A
month ago, they enlisted over 1500 men for the service. Now they are asked to
submit another list of 500 men after the festival. If you refuse, the junta
said you would have to pay Kyats 50,000," added the activist.
As of now,
approximately 4,000 Muslim youths from these villages have joined the military
service. However, Narinjara News can not independently confirm the information.
The junta forces are also promising
national registration cards to the military personnel along with their
family members.
"The
junta took 47 people from the IDP camp in our village as a first batch. Seven
out of them have died. The victim families were provided Kyats 200,000
and a bag of rice each," said a resident of Thet Kae Pyin Muslim village.
He added
that many educated Muslim youths are not willing to serve in the military and
hence they have fled from their places.
Since the 2012 ethnic conflict,
there have been more than 100,000 Muslim IDPs in Rakhine State.
According
to the Arakan Army's data, there are over 300,000 IDPs in the State, which is
facing gun fighting incidents.