Myanmar Military Desertions: Ex-Officer Reveals Scale of Exodus
Photo by Pyae Sone Htun
Quick Revision
Around 20,000 Myanmar soldiers and 200 officers have deserted the military.
The desertions are due to human rights abuses and the crackdown following the February 2021 coup.
Deserters are seeking refuge in border areas with India and Thailand.
The ex-officer urged India to convey to Myanmar’s military that the “people of Myanmar have rejected the election already”.
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Myanmar Military Desertions and Refugee Flows
This map illustrates the areas where Myanmar military deserters are seeking refuge, both within Myanmar and in neighboring countries like India and Thailand. It highlights the border regions and liberated zones mentioned in the news.
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Exam Angles
India-Myanmar relations
Human rights issues
Refugee crisis
Geopolitical implications
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Summary
A former Myanmar Army officer, Captain Kaung Thu Win, revealed that approximately 20,000 soldiers and 200 officers have deserted the military due to its human rights abuses and crackdown following the February 2021 coup. Speaking from New Delhi, he highlighted the military's indiscriminate killing of civilians and property confiscation.
He also noted that these deserters are seeking refuge in border areas with India and Thailand, as well as in liberated zones within Myanmar. He urged India to convey to Myanmar’s military that the “people of Myanmar have rejected the election already”.
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Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the situation in Myanmar: 1. The February 2021 coup was primarily triggered by disputes over the results of the 2020 general election. 2. The majority of deserters from the Myanmar military are seeking refuge exclusively in Thailand. 3. India shares a porous border with Myanmar, presenting challenges related to refugee influx and security. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.3 only
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct as the coup was triggered by disputes over the 2020 election. Statement 2 is incorrect as deserters are seeking refuge in India, Thailand, and liberated zones. Statement 3 is correct as India shares a porous border with Myanmar.
2. In the context of the political crisis in Myanmar, which of the following international organizations has been actively involved in mediation efforts?
- A.South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
- B.Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- C.Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- D.Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
Show Answer
Answer: B
ASEAN has been actively involved in mediation efforts to resolve the political crisis in Myanmar, though with limited success.
3. Which of the following statements regarding the India-Myanmar border is NOT correct?
- A.It is a porous border facilitating cross-border movement.
- B.It is entirely fenced to prevent illegal activities.
- C.It is a region with diverse ethnic groups.
- D.It presents challenges related to drug trafficking and insurgency.
Show Answer
Answer: B
The India-Myanmar border is not entirely fenced, making it porous and susceptible to illegal activities. The other options are correct.
4. Assertion (A): The exodus of military personnel from Myanmar poses a significant challenge to the stability of the region. Reason (R): The deserters often seek refuge in neighboring countries, potentially leading to cross-border security issues and humanitarian crises. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true, but R is false.
- D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
The exodus does pose a challenge to regional stability, and the reason provided correctly explains why this is the case.