📷 Image Credits: Morung Express
The youth from Naga villages in Myanmar are facing a stark choice of enlisting in the military or fleeing their villages to avoid compulsory military service. Under Myanmar’s stringent conscription laws, men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 can be drafted into the armed forces for up to two years, leading many young Naga individuals to abandon their education and seek refuge across the border in Nagaland. Since the enforcement of the conscription law earlier this year, hundreds of youths have left their villages, schools, and families in search of safety.
The pressure to join the military has prompted many to flee, with a significant number seeking shelter in Noklak district with the International Trade Centre, Dan as a transit point. Once across the border, these youths embark on journeys to different districts in Nagaland, aiming to find jobs or continue their education amidst the uncertainty of their situations. Reports indicate that several Naga youths have joined the military and are undergoing training before being deployed to war zones.
Amidst the turmoil, there have been instances of forced enlistment by the military with reports of youths being forcefully taken when seeking medical treatment or rounded up by district administrations. The situation has led to fear and anxiety among the Naga villages, with many resorting to fleeing to avoid conscription. Some youths have chosen the path of joining pro-democracy forces like the People’s Defence Force (PDF) as an alternative to fighting against their own people.
The desperate circumstances in Myanmar have pushed Naga youths to make life-changing decisions, with the looming threat of compulsory military service driving them to consider drastic choices. The ongoing conflict and political instability have created a challenging environment for these young individuals, forcing them to weigh the risks of enlisting in the military against the uncertain future of fleeing their homes and communities. The Naga youths find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the difficult decision of staying to face conscription or seeking refuge in a foreign land in search of safety and freedom.
