During this week, the implications of the military conscription law haunts young people in Myanmar as more youths are queue up for their passports and hurry to apply for visa at the Thailand Embassy in Yangon.

 

Two women die in stampede

 

Last Monday, two women died  due to asphyxiation and one broke her leg after crushing on each other in a rush to get an appointment for passport application at the Aungmyaytharzan township in Mandalay.

 

Three of them fell off a five foot-deep ditch. Although they were taken to the hospital, two died due to lack of oxygen.

 

It was the first accident that killed two people in a crowd crush, highlighting the eagerness of the people to leave the country after the junta implemented the conscription law. The passport office provided 200 tokens per day and around five thousand people line up to get a token and the chance to apply for a passport.

 

Ethnic armed forces welcome people evading the military conscription law

 

The Arakan Army (AA) urged Rakhine people and people feeling the pressure of conscription law to seek refuge in areas under its control.

 

The AA noted that areas under the military administration have been facing intensified fighting, increased prices of basic foods and total lack of  rule of law.

 

The safest areas are the ones under AA administration, the AA statement said.

 

Likewise, the Karen National Union (KNU), a splinter of New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Shan State Progressive Party ( SSPP/ SSA) also urged people to flee to areas under their control and join the fight against the junta.

 

Junta still has no plan for conscription of females

 

Military spokesperson general Zaw Min Tun said on Tuesday  that "currently, they are not planning to bring females to the military."

 

With the implementation of the conscription law, around 14 millions of people can enter into the military including 7.7 millions of people.

 

Earlier the military announced that starting from April, around 5 thousand people would be drafted and women will be included in the fifth batch. But junta backtracked and excluded women from conscription after  officials noticed the long queue of people trying to go abroad.

 

RCSS enforces conscription for six years

 

The Restoration Council of the Shan State (RCSS) who has a good relation with junta also enforced conscription law for people living in Shan state.

 

The RCSS said that every person who turns 18-years-old  has to serve in military for six years. People who finished universities have to work for the office administration, those who mastered in technology have to carry out technological services and IT people need to work for the IT department.

 

The ethnic armed group warned that it would confiscate the houses and other estates of those who would evade conscription by going abroad.

 

Splinter of NMSP joins the NUG

 

The splinter group of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) led by Naing Zaya met up with National Unity Government (NUG) foreign affairs minister Daw Zin Mar Aung via online and discussed joint revolutionary projects.

 

The splinter group of NMSP left their party led by Naing Hanthar on 14th February since they did not agree with the decision of the group to continue holding dialogue with the junta.

 

After their discussion with minister Daw Zin Mar Aung, the splinter group of NMSP  promised to support all action aimed at ending the military dictatorship.

 

The group also vowed to cooperate with like-minded individuals and organizations that would  build federal democracy.

 

Two trains collide in Yangon

 

A commuter train and a freight train collided on Thursday in Yae Kyaw in Pazundaung township in Yangon.

 

The commuter train allegedly crashed into the freight train, which was waiting at the red light. Due to the accident, the railroad bridge collapsed but no injuries was reported.

 

 

Burma Associated Press