In Gwa township, the southernmost area of RakhineState, a lottery selection process for military service is going on in variouswards and villages, which resulted  in fleeing of some selected Rakhineyouths.

"Some individuals were not selected for militaryservice. Those familiar with the administration also did not get theopportunity. Consequently, some young people from ward 3 of Kyeintali townshiphad an argument with the administrator that led 13 youths to flee from thelocation," said a young resident of Gwa.

A resident of Kyeintali informed that on 17 March alottery selection for military service was conducted in the urban wards of Gwatownship, specifically in ward 1, ward 2 and ward 3.

"Among those selected, two individuals werechosen from each ward. Once selected, there is no choice for the participants.The first person chosen must undergo military training in the first batch,followed by the others in subsequent weeks," he added.

Because of the military junta's pressure on thepeople, there remains  no option available for them. Joining the ArakanArmy (AA) also becomes difficult.

"Most people have no choice but to participate inthe military service selection process. The situation is very difficult in thesouth and there is no way to join the AA," he stated.

The  junta is blatantly conducting the militiarecruitment in Taungup, Thandwe, Gwa, and Munaung localities that raisedconcerns among the young and middle-aged residents.

The  residents have also reported that themilitary junta was collecting Kyats 5,000 per household to cover the food andstipends for the individuals attending the military training.