The Burmese Army has suddenly stopped using forced labour and porters in Chin state, northwestern Burma in the run up to the referendum to approve the constitution to be held on May 10.

"Surprisingly, there is no more forced labour and they have stopped using porters as they did previously. I think the reason is that the military authorities are worried that they might lose votes of the people," a local from Chin state who requested anonymity said.

In the first two weeks of April, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs of Burma Brig-General Thura Aung Ko and Chin state's tactical commander (1) Brig-General Hung Ngai launched a campaign in support of the referendum across Chin state to woo for votes to approve the new constitution.

Apparently, the order to stop forced labor and use of porters was issued during Thura Aung Ko's visit to Chin state, locals said.

"These days, we do not get reports of soldiers forcibly engaging people into labour and for carrying army rations and ammunition along the Indo-Burma border between Chin state and India's northeastern state of  Mizoram," Sangbik from CHRO (Chin Human Right Organization) based in Mizoram said.

"It is possible that stopping forced labour and using porters in Chin state is another of Burmese regime's tactics to woo voters in the referendum," Sangbik added.   

A new constitution was drafted by junta's hand picked delegates after the 14-year long national convention, which is part of the regime's seven step road map to so called "disciplined democracy' in Burma.

Most critics felt that the newly drafted constitution was designed to perpetuate military rule in Burma. It also bans democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from contesting elections and run for office.

After the military grabbed power in 1988, the regime deployed several troops in Chin state. Consequently, the people in the area had suffered widespread force labour and were used as porters almost daily.