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Myanmar’s junta activated a national conscription law this week, and began arresting those resisting the draft – an attempt by the army to boost its numbers amid desertions and defeats in a fight against ethnic rebel groups that have led some to now question the military’s hold on power three years after its coup, Nikkei Asia reported.

Officials announced that the 2010 People’s Military Service Law was to take effect immediately with an initial batch of 5,000 recruits to be enlisted in April. Even so, Radio Free Asia reported that junta soldiers have already begun mass arrests of young and internally displaced people in the Bago region.

The legislation requires men aged 18 to 35 and women 18 to 27 to serve two years, with the term of service extendable to five years during national emergencies.

The law extends the upper age limit to 45 for men and 37 for women who have technical or professional expertise, while also requiring them to serve for three years, also extendable to five years.

Exemptions include “temporary deferments” for a variety of cases, such as students, people caring for the elderly, and drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation. But these groups have to serve for the required period even if they are above the age limit after deferment. Permanent exemptions include members of religious orders, married women, disabled people and “those who are exempted by the conscription board.”

Refusing to serve could result in penalties such as five-year prison terms and fines.

The law comes as the junta appears more vulnerable since it ousted the elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Since then, the military government has experienced mass protests from civilians and armed conflict from ethnic rebel groups across the country.

In recent months, it has experienced a series of setbacks across northeast, central and western Myanmar, including military defeats, desertions and defections to rebel groups.

Critics condemned some of the new recruitment rules, adding that the new conscription drive underscores the regime’s “growing desperation.”

Many citizens have also expressed anger at the recruitment drive, with some of them suggesting migration, marriage, and even cutting off “a few fingers (rather) than serve in the military.”