As the military junta continues arresting Muslimyouths in Maungdaw township of Rakhine State for the purpose of conscription,many youths have fled to escape the soldiers. Most of them now avoid sleepingin their residences during the night hours, said the Muslim residents.

"On the night of 12 April, three militaryvehicles arrived at Ka Nyin Tan village and arrested some Muslim youths inpresence of administrative officials. While many youths managed to escape, 12were arrested. Later they were however released. The soldiers want more youthsto engage in military services,” said a Muslim resident.

Since early days of April, the military and borderguard personnel have been conducting night raids in the Muslim wards andvillages under Maungdaw locality including Myoma Ka Nyin Tan ward, Maung Nivillage and Shwe Zar village-tract. However, the local Muslims revealed thatthe raids remained unsuccessful as the young people had managed to flee.

"Muslim youths in Maungdaw are not interested in joining the military services and currently they avoid staying attheir residences,” added the resident.

On many occasions, the junta has issued summons to theMuslims through the administrative officers. Now the youths are hiding intents, fields, shrimp ponds etc to escape the arrest.

Many Muslim youths in Buthidaung township of Maungdawdistrict were  arrested by the junta forces for conscription. They are nowmotivated to stand against the Arakha Army fighters and even to set Rakhinefamilies’ residences on fire with an aim to create ethnic and religiousconflicts.