The  village administrators in Manaung township of RakhineState have declined to gather the list of individuals required to serve in themilitary, as per the directive of the military junta.

An administrator informed Narinjara News that they were instructed to provide alist of eligible young and middle-aged men for conscription to the townshipgeneral administrator by 16 March. However, all administrators refused tocomply with the order.

"They told that the administrators must collectthe concerned list for military service. So, we informed the generaladministrator that if we have to do the task, we will not be able to continueas administrators anymore," he said.

He mentioned that due to the conscription law, many young and middle-agedindividuals  in Manaung island have been fleeing.

“We advised the young people not to worry. However, they are extremely worriedand frightened. Nevertheless, they believe fleeing is an option," heasserted.

As of 22 March, the village administrators stated thatthey had not received any response from the military junta regarding theirfailure to provide the particular lists.

An elderly citizen informed Narinjara News that about 100 soldiers had arrivedin Manaung by a navy ship.

“They were transported to the town after being pickedup from Pa Lin village and Kone Tan villages," he stated.

Relevant departments have been instructed not to dig trenches in Manaung’svillages. Moreover, the  junta has been reinforcing the military forces.

Manaung island comprises 41 village-tracts and 140 villages. Each militarytraining batch is expected to recruit 15 individuals from the entire island.