NAW PYI TAW, Mar. 22 (CNA) - The Myanmar army has moved to enlist its first batch of civilians into the military, with summons letters reportedly sent to eligible candidates in various parts of Myanmar.

The letters may not come in a standardised format, but they each carry the same message instructing recipients to register for military service, and warning that “failure to report will result in prosecution”.

This is in line with the military’s recently enacted conscription law, which has sparked a range of concerns from brain drain to increased violence amid the ongoing crisis.

Citizens aged 18 to 35, and in some cases, up to 45, are required to serve under the law.

One recipient is Kyaw, who declined to use his full name. The 31-year-old received his letter in mid-March and was summoned to his local township office.

“The moment I learnt that my name was on the list, I knew I had to migrate. If I get enlisted, I will be doomed,” he told CNA.

“Everybody knows what would happen if you are conscripted. We are given the following choices: ‘Self sacrifice or flee’. I would rather be a beggar in a foreign land,” he added.

Kyaw considered appealing to be exempted.“I asked my ward administrator about the appeals process, if I could tap on the exemption for enlistment if I am still taking care of my parents. But he said even with my appeal, it would take months to process and I will be summoned for service in the meantime,” he said.

Photo from Reuters