Junta threatens to stop international aid if Sittwe Muslim villagers refuse military recruitment

The Muslim villagers in Sittwe locality of Rakhine State have been ordered to serve in the military, otherwise the  military junta has threatened to cut international aid to them. Moreover  the junta imposes a fine of Kyats 50,000 per family if they refuse.

An activist informed Narinjara News that there are over 10 Muslim villages in Bu May, Kyaung Ta Gar and Ka Thit Taw village-tracts in Sittwe township. Some village elders namely U Shwe Maung, U Saw Hla, U Shwe Hla and U Hla Myint are reportedly recruiting new members from these villages.

"The junta  warned that if you decline to join the military service, they will  cut off NGO aid. A month ago, they enlisted over 1500 men for the service. Now they are asked to submit another list of 500 men after the festival. If you refuse, the junta said you would have to pay Kyats 50,000," added the activist.

As of now, approximately 4,000 Muslim youths from these villages have joined the military service. However, Narinjara News can not independently confirm the information.

The junta forces are also promising national registration cards to the  military personnel along with their family members.

"The junta took 47 people from the IDP camp in our village as a first batch. Seven out of them have died. The victim families were provided  Kyats 200,000 and a bag of rice each," said a resident of Thet Kae Pyin Muslim village.

He added that many educated Muslim youths are not willing to serve in the military and hence they have fled from their places.

Since the 2012 ethnic conflict, there have been more than 100,000 Muslim IDPs in Rakhine State.

According to the Arakan Army's data, there are over 300,000 IDPs in the State, which is facing gun fighting incidents.