Published
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 12:17
Security tightened prior to referendum
Local Burmese junta authorities have ordered people to make or renew their ID cards. They are also checking the guest registers every night in Tachilek Township on the Thai-Burma border, according to local sources.
Local Burmese junta authorities have ordered people to make or renew their ID cards. They are also checking the guest registers every night in Tachilek Township on the Thai-Burma border, according to local sources.
On February 24, 2008 night, the militia, policemen and army personnel went to check the guest registers at many houses in Tachilek. Unregistered guests as well as house owners were detained and taken to the Township Peace and Development council office.
On February 25, 2008, Commander of Area Operations Command Myint Han, Chairman of District Peace and Development Council (DPDC) Khin Than and his secretary U Than Tun, Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman U Thein Myint and his secretary U Myint Thein and the Tachilek police chief held a public meeting. At the meeting, they announced, "Those who don't have current IDs cards and who are over 18 years old must get their ID or renew them," the source said.
In Burma, local authorities in every state are urging people to renew ID cards to support the new constitution through referendum in May 2008. The general elections will be held in 2010.
"The authorities are trying various ways to make people vote for them in the election and have barred Aung Sun Su Kyi from contesting the election. They also arrested many Shan leaders so that they cannot contest the election," a local said.
The authorities are also persuading the people to become members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), according to several news agencies. Senior General Than Shwe is expected to discard his military uniform and become the first civilian president under the new Constitution.
On February 24, 2008 night, the militia, policemen and army personnel went to check the guest registers at many houses in Tachilek. Unregistered guests as well as house owners were detained and taken to the Township Peace and Development council office.
On February 25, 2008, Commander of Area Operations Command Myint Han, Chairman of District Peace and Development Council (DPDC) Khin Than and his secretary U Than Tun, Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman U Thein Myint and his secretary U Myint Thein and the Tachilek police chief held a public meeting. At the meeting, they announced, "Those who don't have current IDs cards and who are over 18 years old must get their ID or renew them," the source said.
In Burma, local authorities in every state are urging people to renew ID cards to support the new constitution through referendum in May 2008. The general elections will be held in 2010.
"The authorities are trying various ways to make people vote for them in the election and have barred Aung Sun Su Kyi from contesting the election. They also arrested many Shan leaders so that they cannot contest the election," a local said.
The authorities are also persuading the people to become members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), according to several news agencies. Senior General Than Shwe is expected to discard his military uniform and become the first civilian president under the new Constitution.
