The junta forces detained 64 more Rohingya youths from Buthidaung township of Rakhine State for compulsory military enrolment, said local residents.

On 23 February at around 7:30 pm, the junta forces forcibly detained 12 individuals from Oh Thel Ma Muslim village, two from Myaung Nar Muslim village, 30 from Ah Lel Chaung Muslim village and 20 from Ka Kya Bat Muslim village. They were subsequently transported to Buthidaung tactical command base by 9:30 pm, reports Narinjara News.

The junta soldiers from Buthidaung tactical command base came by three vehicles. Around  20 soldiers were stationed near Zaw Baw Muslim village, another 20 near Buthidaung golf course and 20 others near the religious school.

According to a military source, the villagers have been  training in the 352nd, 353rd and 345th battalions since 20 February.

Many youths have fled from their places in fear of detention.

A Muslim village elder alleged that the junta forces after facing defeats in many battles started abducting Muslims to enrol in the military services. It’s a violation of human rights and evil intention to incite misunderstanding between the Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim residents.

"We want to live in peace. The soldiers are now arresting both youths and senior people and putting them in front of Rakhine residents,” he added.

On 9 February at number 5 border guard police battalion in Myo Thu Gyi village under Maungdaw township, division commander Thurein Tun and district administrator Nay Oo held a meeting with Mawlawi (Muslim religious scholars) and advised them to cooperate with the military junta.

Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque