A teenager from Mrauk U Township in Arakan was conscripted by the Burmese Army recently as a new private soldier against the wishes of his parents, said a relative.

Maung Tha Tun is the 14-year-old son of U Shwe Tun and Daw Nin Zi Pru in Pazun Pe Village of Mrauk U Township.

A soldier from Battalion 540 based in Mrauk U recruited the boy on November 13 and brought him to the headquarters after giving him money.

According to a local source, the soldier lured the boy to join the army with money because he is required to send two youths to the army to enlist as soldiers before he is able to retire from the army.

The Burmese Army has a rule that if any soldier or officer wants to resign from the army, he must first send two men to serve and take his place.

The parents of Maung Tha Tun opposed their son joining the army, but they have been unable to rescue their minor child from the battalion. It was also reported that many parents are suffering from the army recruiting their young sons illegally without permission.