NSO demands halt to forced conscription in Naga Region, boycotts junta-appointed chief minister’s visit

Mizzima The Naga Students’ Organization (NSO) peacefully boycotted the welcoming ceremony for Myanmar junta-appointed Sagaing Region Chief Minister Ko Lay’s visit to Lahe, demanding an immediate halt to forced military conscription in the Naga Self-Administered Zone. During his first visit to Lahe on 19 July, Ko Lay — a retired Major General and current Sagaing Region Chief Minister — inspected local development projects and transport infrastructure, prompting the students’ boycott. An NSO official told Mizzima: “We previously petitioned the former chief minister and constantly negotiated with the Naga Self-Administered Zone Leading Body to stop forced recruitment, as our region is peaceful. However, they only cited ‘orders from above.’ That is why we are boycotting.” According to the NSO, exact figures for arrested Naga youth are unavailable, but forced recruitment is most prevalent in Leshi Township, with numerous youths also forcibly conscripted in the Khamti and Homalin areas. The NSO warned that towns are now nearly depleted of young people, and that continued forced conscription could trigger regional instability and conflict. The organization said it has repeatedly urged the quasi-military administration and regional authorities to halt forced recruitment to preserve peace and stability in the Naga region amid nationwide armed conflict and political instability. Despite these appeals, youth traveling for work, education, medical treatment, trade, or other legitimate reasons continue to be abducted from checkpoints, roads, hotels, and even their homes for forced military service, the NSO said. A youth from Kyun Khaung village in Lahe Township was arrested on 14 July but was released before being sent for conscription due to the NSO’s intervention. However, some detainees have had to pay ransoms ranging from 30 to 40 million kyats (approx. US$9,700 to $12,900) for their release, while those unable to pay are forced into military service, according to the NSO. Condemning these actions as violations of justice, human dignity, and the rule of law, the NSO urged an immediate halt to forced conscription in the Naga region, calling for respect for public will, sustainable peace and mutual trust, and constructive dialogue with the Naga community. During his trip, Ko Lay also visited the Htein Nyo Mountain viewpoint on the Khamti-Sinthe-Lahe Road, traditional heritage sites, a small-scale hydropower project, and upland monsoon paddy fields. The post NSO demands halt to forced conscription in Naga Region, boycotts junta-appointed chief minister’s visit appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.