Many local youths in Tonzang Township, Chin State, are fleeing their homes as the Chinland Defense Force (CDF)-Tonzang is conducting forced, door-to-door recruitment for military training, according to local residents.
Local residents of Tonzang Township reported that following frequent clashes between the CDF-Tonzang and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) in the area, men over the age of 18 were being forced to attend basic military training, with one male conscripted from each household.
A resident of Tonzang stated, “The CDF-Tonzang is forcibly recruiting young people from Tonzang and nearby villages under their control for military training. They are going door-to-door to carry out these recruitments. While they claim to be targeting those aged 18 and above, some of those taken are indeed 18, but others are still underage.”
The resident added, “So far, they have only been recruiting men, not women. Because they are armed, people are afraid to speak out, but most of the young men have already fled. Normally, recruitment takes place in April, but this forced recruitment only began last week.”
The CDF-Tonzang recruited around 100 young men for its first batch of basic military training last April and is now conducting another round of recruitment for the second batch.
“It’s good that young people are coming in to take up arms by their own decision. But this forced recruitment is following the path of the military council, and it is a cause for concern for the people in the future,” said another resident of Tonzang.
The CDF-Tonzang commander-in-chief told some Chin media outlets that the ZRA has been frequently attacking Tonzang Township and burning villages, so they have been called in to attend basic military training for community security.
The military chief of CDF-Tonzang also said that single men who have completed basic military training can continue to serve as members of the CDF-Tonzang and Chinland Council, while married men are expected to take responsibility for community security.