Serve or face exile: CDF-Tonzang to expel residents who decline recruitment
139
Hsu/Thant Zin (NP News)-Mar1
In Tonzang Township, Chin State, local youths who refuse to serve in their army are being punished with forced relocation. A Chin national told The Statesman that this practice is essentially an act of confining locals within restricted areas.
On February 23, the CDF-Tonzang announced that residents of Tonzang Township who refuse military service—specifically men aged 16–35 and women aged 16–25—will be expelled from the area.
The announcement sparked widespread criticism across Chin communities, with one resident noting that such measures effectively trap young people in a region already under severe restrictions.
“The punishment of relocation is clear. It basically means: if you don’t want to serve in their army, then don’t stay here with them. From Tonzang, you can’t go down toward Kalay directly—you have to pass through Tonzang–Tedim first before reaching Kalay. And even when you get to Kalay, there’s no security. So the only real exit from Tonzang is Mizoram. But in Mizoram, it feels like the entire Chin State has moved there. That means there are no jobs available. If you go there to live, you have to find work to survive—you can’t just sit idly. So in this small town, when people from all over the state come, it becomes overcrowded. Moving back and forth isn’t easy. That’s why, if you want to stay here, you end up having to serve in their army. It’s like an official declaration. By closing things off, it becomes a form of confinement.”
He added that summoning men aged 16 to 35 for their army is an irresponsible act, one that lacks the approval of the Chin people.
“In the end, if you ask whether locals like it, how could they possibly like it? It means our sons, daughters, relatives, and villagers have to serve in their army. Sixteen years old is considered a good age—they’re still just young people. No matter which side calls them to serve, if they end up at the front line, it’s not a bed of roses. They could be injured, lose a leg or an arm, and their lives would be ruined. So can those who are calling them take responsibility? They cannot. That’s why, if you ask whether people like it, nobody likes it. Even those whose own family members are being called—ask them if they like it. They don’t. Nobody likes it at all,” he continued.
According to the announcement, the CDF-Tonzang and Chinland Council (CC) are launching a military recruitment drive and will no longer permit eligible men and women to depart Tonzang Township.
Reports from February 22 indicate that recruitment has been expanded to include all individuals between the ages of 16 and 35 currently present in Tonzang Township. –