Several youths from Kyauk Ta Lone Muslim IDP camp inKyaukphyu township of Rakhine State have sought refuge with the Arakan Army(AA) due to the military junta's enforcement of compulsory military services.

Among those who sought refuge in the AA, there was oneyoung woman along with over 10 young people, said a reliable source.

"The reason they fled the camp is because themilitary junta pressured 150 people from the camp to join military services.Now, some of the youths have sought refuge with the AA," added the source.

An internally displaced person (IDP), who wished toremain anonymous, revealed that the family members of those young people (whofled the camp) are no longer permitted to stay in the camp. They were drivenaway by the camp officials.

"People are terrified of joining the militaryservice. They're lying low because they have nowhere to escape. Both thechildren and adults are distraught, unable to eat and drink. Around 15 or 16young people have fled the camp, and the rest of their families have beenforcibly driven out. We're at a loss, do not know what to do," stated thesource.

On 17 February, members of Kyauk Ta Lone IDP campmanagement committee collected a list of male IDPs (aged 18 to 55 years) andinformed them that they would be joining military services.

The military service law applies only to individualsbetween 18 and 35 years of age. However, in the IDP camp, individuals aged 18to 55 years were also short listed.

The  camp functionaries revealed that they havebeen pressured by the junta to send 150 young people to join military serviceswithin a week. Later the deadline was extended by three days in regards to theMuslim prayer day.

The military officials have promised those peoplenational citizenship after completing their term and threatened to arrest themall if they refuse to admit.

"I'm not sure if he's a tactical operationcommander or a captain. He told us that as an ethnic group, we're obligated toserve the country. So we asked them, why weren't  granted citizenship? Hereplied that it would be done after the military training programs. He evendisclosed that the junta trusts us more than the Rakhine people," said aMuslim refugee.

Narinjara News tried to contact Kyauk Ta Lone IDP campadministrator U Maw Ni and Maung Ni by telephone, but failed.

The concerned camp gives shelter to  300households (comprising over 1,000 individuals), who were displaced from urbanwards like Ah Yar Shi, Paik Seik, Tan Ban Chaung and Toe Chae of Kyaukphyu township after the conflict erupted in 2012. (Photo: UN)