Telecommunication networks cut off in Dawei’s Eastern Forest Area

September 12, 2024

HURFOM: Since September 1^st, 2024, the telecommunication network has been cut off in villages in the Dawei Eastern Forest Area, Dawei Township, Tenasserim Division.

Since after the attempted coup, only the Atom (Telenor) operator is available in this area.

Telecommunication towers have to be run with gasoline generators due to the lack of electricity. However, the company’s staff have not come to refuel the generator since September 1^st creating a telecommunication blackout from Wa Gone to Hein Dar villages.

“Only the Telenor (Atom) operator is able to provide a phone and internet signal. The MPT operator isn’t available everywhere and it has no internet signal. We have to climb on the hill to find the strongest signal to make contact,” said a resident from Wa Gone village.

Both the military junta and the People’s Defense Force have beaten and extorted a huge amount of money from the company’s staff so the company has not sent them refuel the generators.

“The PDF has extorted million MMK from the company’s staff and the military junta has also abused staff in the same manner. The price of gasoline has skyrocketed and there has been a huge demand from both sides so the company hasn’t sent their staff to refuel the generator,” said a source close to the company’s staff.

The PDF has also threatened that if the company refuses to refuel the generator, they will destroy the telecommunication tower.

“We paid their demand and refueled the generator in 2023. But they’ve demanded more and more and the price for gasoline has skyrocketed. So, we can’t afford to refuel generators,” said a source close to the Telenor (Atom) Office.

There have been frequent armed clashes in the Dawei Eastern Forest Area and the military junta routinely launches air assaults. The junta also placed restrictions on the transportation of basic commodities and medicine.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News