Question raised in Mandalay Region Parliament regarding the purchase of conscripts, leading to a situation akin to a large human trafficking ring

It has been reported that a question was raised in the Mandalay Region Parliament regarding the purchase of individuals for military service, leading to a situation akin to a large human trafficking ring. This was included in a question posed by U Ko Ko Htwe, the Region Hluttaw representative for constituency (1) of Chanayethazan Township, on the first day of the third regular session of the third Mandalay Region Hluttaw, held on August 4. The question concerned "the systematic summoning of conscripts by township according to population ratios." "In our Chanayethazan Township, there are approximately 18,000 people eligible for conscription, and while other townships have 20,000, 30,000, or even 40,000 registered individuals, only 45 people are summoned per month, which is unequal. The re-examination and lottery-based selection processes are also inconsistent with the ground realities. Furthermore, conscription fees have been collected since the summoning began, leading to financial problems and corruption. Because the collected funds are used to purchase individuals for military service, creating a situation akin to a large human trafficking ring, young people in Mandalay and those who come from other regions to work are no longer feeling secure. Therefore, I wish to ask that only those who are genuinely registered residents of their township be accepted, and since it is undeniable that all citizens must serve in national defense, that summoning be carried out regardless of wealth, poverty, ethnicity, or religion," the questioner stated. In response to the question, Major General Ne Lin Soe, the Minister for Security and Border Affairs, replied, "We are summoning all males aged 18 to 35 who fall within the specified criteria for conscription. We are not summoning all eligible individuals from all regions simultaneously and proportionally. Instead, we are carefully managing the process based on the eligible population in each township, as well as factors such as population density, regional stability, and transportation access, to ensure it does not become a burden on the public. The number of individuals summoned is calculated proportionally, with a maximum of two individuals per ward per township allocated weekly. We prioritize those who volunteer for service. We have observed that individuals intending to evade military service are doing so through various means, such as working in other areas or illegally traveling abroad. We are taking legal action against such individuals. However, if they submit a written pledge to serve in the military and report through the proper channels, we are proceeding with the closure and relaxation of cases." It was also reported that on June 10, during the second regular session, U Ko Ko Htwe, the Region Hluttaw representative for constituency (1) of Chanayethazan Township, had previously raised a question in the Hluttaw regarding the situation in Mandalay where young people were being recruited for military service in a manner resembling human trafficking, and the possibility of evading service through financial means.