Rumours of military once again using forced labor, frightens villagers

March 12, 2021

HURFOM: The military junta is increasing their monitoring and intimidation of citizens.

Armed forces personnel are stopping passengers and checking their private information at gates to cities.

Soldiers have been trying to establish military bases at schools and hospitals. On March 6, military forces conducted a search at Mawlamyine University. On March 7 some soldiers set up a base at Ye General Hospital.

There have even been rumours that the military is again using forced labour to carry military rations and supplies. These individuals are referred to as ‘porters’. The use of porters to carry rations and other supplies for the military was a prevalent tactic in the early 2000’s. Forced labor on infrastructure projects, such as the repair and construction of roads and bridges, and on the building and maintenance of military camps also remained widespread, as did the forced conscription of villagers into the military. In 2005, both the International Labour Organization and the United Nation expressed concern about the military’s widespread use of forced labor in Burma, particularly in ethnic border areas.

“The rumor of the military again employing porters has emerged every night. Some villagers are frightened and run away. But I’d never experienced this,” said a hundred household leader from Mudon Township.

It is not known if the rumour has been created as part of a psychological warfare tactic to frighten villagers.

“We’ve heard very often that the military are again conscripting individuals by force from villages. But in reality, nothing happened. But the military checked the passengers at the gates nearby the entrances of the cities. We haven’t confirmed whether the military is using forced labour or not,” said another villager who is very close to the village/ward General Administration Department (GAD).

Meanwhile, the military junta continues with their brutal crackdown on protests and have begun to make arrests at night.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News