Border News Agency
Ponnakyun, June 30.
The public says that the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government is currently implementing the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP).
According to locals, political officers and administrative leaders of the Arakan government are leading the effort to conscript individuals for military service under this provision.
“Yesterday, the AA called a meeting in our village. They said they needed four people from our village to serve in the military,” a local from Ponnakyun Township told Border News Agency. “The number of recruits varies depending on the size of each village across the township. But no one wants to go for military service. People in the village were upset, saying things like, ‘Why take my son and not yours?’ In the end, they agreed to hold a vote to decide fairly.”
They say this recruitment is intended for fulfilling national defense duties specific to their own villages and regions.
In addition, it is said to be aimed at protecting and preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arakan, as well as safeguarding against internal and external threats.
Therefore, the goal is to establish a national defense system in which all ethnic groups in Arakan participate in unity and solidarity, ensuring that every Arakanese citizen equally shares in both the responsibilities and rights of national defense.
The National Defense Emergency Provision was enacted on March 18, according to a public announcement made on May 22.
As a result, locals say that men aged 18 to 45 and women aged 18 to 25 are being recruited through a voting system.
“When they call for military service in the villages, no one wants to go,” a local from Kyauktaw told Border News Agency.
“In some village tracts, they’re calling for one person per village. But most people refuse. That’s why they’re using a voting system. Even though it’s said to be under an emergency national defense provision, things are not easy at home. As everyone knows, these are difficult times. If someone goes off to serve, who will feed their family? There’s no one left to support them. Who would want to join the military while leaving their family to starve? Even when the whole family works, we still struggle to afford food and necessities. That’s why, for the most part, no one wants to serve.”
Although the provision has been enacted, officials from the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government say that recruitment is currently focused mainly on unmarried individuals, while those who are married are not yet being included.
Those selected for military service are required to undergo a 45-day training program and serve for two years. However, they say there is also an option to continue serving beyond that period. Additionally, those interested may join and serve within the departments of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
“Last year, some people were taken away with the promise of just 45 days of military service, but none of them have returned until now,” a local resident told Border News Agency.
“I respect the soldiers who are out there fighting, putting their lives, sweat, and blood on the line. I don’t have the same kind of courage as they do. If I absolutely have to serve, I will. But if they say it’s 45 days, then I want to be allowed to return home after those 45 days. Many people who completed their service period never came back, and that’s why more people are now reluctant to serve.”
In what is seen as the final phase of the war in Arakan, the Arakan Army has fully seized control of 15 townships, including the Paletwa region, with only Sittwe, Kyaukphru, and Manaung townships remaining to be captured through military offensives.
The Arakan Army has organized all the territories under its control into eight districts and is establishing administrative mechanisms under the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government.
