Members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State have been issuing national temporary identity (ID) cards (white colour) to residents in Tatkone quarter since last week to enable people to vote in the forthcoming referendum to  be held on May 10, a source said.

The USDA members collected thousands of Kyats to make the temporary ID cards. The ID cards will make residents eligible only to cast their vote in the referendum, a resident who got an ID card told KNG.

The ID card number by the USDA is real but it can be used only during the referendum.  After the referendum, the residents have to procure fresh national identity cards, a resident added.

At the same time the authorities have ordered residents who made temporary ID cards to cast the "Yes" vote in the referendum and not to go off to other places before the referendum date, said a resident.

Meanwhile, the anti-referendum movement by the local underground university students' organization, the All Kachin Students Union (AKSU) continues around towns in Kachin State.