February 17, 2024 05:44 am | Updated 10:26 am IST - NEW DELHI:Myanmar’s plans for conscription has triggered fear that it may create a new wave of exodus of young Myanmar nationals leaving for neighbouring countries in South and Southeast Asia. Myanmar has flown air sorties to retrieve its soldiers from Mizoram however such sorties are increasingly becoming difficult for the junta as it faces constraints. The foreign minister of Bangladesh Hasan Mahmud who visited India last week said that Myanmar is in talks for taking back its soldiers by sea route. Rebels indicated that the junta’s announcement of conscription for men and women citizens of Myanmar have heightened tension in the country especially as the junta’s recent reverses included loss of several townships near Indian and Bangladesh borders. Myanmar’s internal strifes have been a major reason for dislocation of communities beginning with the exodus of the Rohingya community from Rakhine province that took refuge in Bangladesh’s Chittagong in September 2017.

Source: The Hindu February 17, 2024 13:02 UTC