Regime warns Kyauktaw residents to refrain from participating in anti-coup activities

By DMG 29 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
29 January 2022, Kyaukta 

Ahead of a planned, nationwide “silent strike” to protest the one-year anniversary of Myanmar’s military coup, members of the junta have distributed leaflets warning locals in Kyauktaw, Arakan State, to refrain from participating in such activities.

Police distributed the threatening leaflets to passersby in Kyauktaw town on Saturday afternoon, according to locals.

The leaflets warned that those involved in anti-coup activities would be prosecuted under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, and Sections 124(a) and 505 of the Penal Code.

In addition, the pamphlets contained propaganda accusing the National Unity Government (NUG), People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organisations of committing acts of violence.

The fact that people in Arakan State have not participated in anti-regime activities, including the civil disobedience movement (CDM), with the same gusto as other parts of Myanmar has not stopped the military council from issuing such warnings in the months since the coup.

Ko Zaw Win, a resident of Kyauktaw town, told DMG that leaflets should not be distributed to local people, given the current situation in Arakan State.

“It can be said that Arakan State is under the rule of the Arakan Army. I don’t think it has anything to do with organisations like CRPH [Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, a NUG precursor], NUG, and PDF. The distribution of the pamphlets shocked the public,” he said.

The military council distributed similar leaflets in Maungdaw Township on Friday.

Anti-junta campaigners have called for the February 1 silent strike as the country marks one year since the military seized power in a pre-dawn coup. Participants, including those who clap or honk car horns in solidarity with the strikers, will face legal action including the possibility of lengthy prison sentences, the regime threatened on January 25.

Although there does not appear to be an organised PDF militia in Arakan State, at least eight people from townships including Thandwe, Taungup and Mrauk-U have been arrested on suspicion of financing anti-regime forces.