September 25, 2024
Young people in Ward 15, Dagon Myothit East Township, Yangon Region, are being coerced into participating in a military lottery for the sixth batch of military service, according to family members of those affected.
On the afternoon of September 25, the Ward 15 administrator summoned all eligible youth to the ward office, where they were forced to draw lots for military service. Those who draw the short lot will be required to serve in the upcoming October military recruitment for the sixth batch. They are also being forced to sign a pledge not to flee if selected.
“They handed out the lottery papers yesterday, and now they’re making us draw. If you get selected, you can’t run. Both the youth and their parents have to sign. This is for the October military recruitment,” said a local resident.
Additionally, the administrator and a ward official known as “Chinese Guy” are reportedly demanding an illegal payment of 150,000 kyats from each of the youth forced to participate in the lottery.
“Even those who don’t have much money have to draw lots, and they also have to pay 150,000 kyats. The administrator and ‘Chinese Guy’ are making unreasonable demands,” a local resident added.
