After the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) initiated the people’s military service law (PMSL) four women fled to Mizoram state of northeast India, from Kalemyo, Sagaing division in Burma this month.

Unmarried women between the ages of 18 to 35 are being listed by the census at the local army base in Kalemyo from February 7. So the women are fleeing their homes.

“The local military started its census in Taungphila and Tahan block in Kalemyo and we fled from our home. Many young people seem to be leaving their home like us,” said a woman who escaped to Mizoram.

Details of the army training schedule are not available, but it will be in Kalemyo Ingtiangkyi military ground.

“Our parents do not want us to return home and we also do not dare to return, so we are thinking that we will apply for refugee status to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in New Delhi, the capital of India,” said a woman.

Two young men from Lete village, Shinletwa tract of Paletwa Township are being forcibly recruited and taken to the local military camp in this month.

The junta ordered village authorities of Falam and Matupi Township, Chin state to start a census for men between the ages of 18 to 45 and women between the ages 18 to 35, but village authorities did not mention why the census is being carried out, said a human rights activist.

The authorities have announced the draft law of the people’s military service law signed by Senior General Than Shwe, the SPDC supremo on 17 December last year.

The SPDC stated in the law that citizens of Burma eligible for military service can be called upon to serve in the military for not more than 24 months, if the state calls upon them. In the Tatmadaw technician service, one has to serve for not more than 36 months and citizens eligible for military service as experts can be called upon to serve in the military service for not more than 36 months.

But the government can extend the military service up to 5 years, if the country is under emergency.

It seems that more young men and women will flee to neighboring countries for the sake of freedom. - Khonumthung News