With an eye on votes in the forthcoming elections this year, the Burmese junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) organized a two-day free eye treatment camp in Kachin State in northern Burma, local sources told the Kachin News Group.

The USDA’s free eye treatment camp was temporarily based in the association office in N’Mawk Township, also spelt Momauk in Burmese in Bhamo District on January 5 and 6. Over a thousand civilians went for eye treatment, said residents of N’Mawk.

A group of eye specialists brought over by the USDA examined and checked all the patients, who were provided spectacles free of cost. Different types of eye surgeries depending on eye examination results were done, according to participants.

Brig-Gen San Htun, vice-commander of Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina-based Northern Regional Command also joined the N’Mawk’s free eye treatment camp on January 5, local participants said.

A farmer in the township told KNG today, that the association’s free eye treatment camp was announced to the people through the government administrative office from village to township level, and it was also advertised with the help of posters on roadsides.

The USDA’s free eye treatment campaign is mainly in Myitkyina and Bhamo districts, the most populated areas in Kachin State, and the campaign has assumed significance after the referendum to approve the constitution in May, 2008.

The regime plans to hold elections this year. However the exact time schedule has not been officially announced so far.

Pro-democracy organizations and the main opposition parties have rejected the junta’s elections because it will be held in accordance with the 2008 constitution which guarantees military officials leading roles in the executive, legislative and in the judiciary.