Why are our citizens running?

Given the nature of Super Earth it makes the most sense that the government either ordered citizen militias to be formed or citizens themselves formed militias give how fanatically loyal they are. We know every citizen receives a constitution on their 16th birthday and we find shotguns all over the colonies suggesting gun ownership is a big thing across the galaxy (we also have advertisements from Morgunson directed at civilians). We have also seen in real life when the heart of a government is being attacked and invaded that it will call up pretty much anyone who can hold a weapon such as the Volkssturm or what Uruguay did during the war of the triple alliance.

I understand having groups of scared roving civilians adds a bit more difficulty as you try not to shoot them but what would makes the most sense is to have groups of armed civilians taking pot shots at the squids as they run for shelter. The citizens should be fighting too, not with liberators and squad tactics like the SEAF but with bolt actions and a burning desire for liberty.