YANGON DIVISION – The junta council issued permits to the motorcycle sidecar drivers in Shwepyithar Township and force them into military uniforms and make patrol rounds, according to residents.
It has reportedly been happening in Shwepyithar Township since early November and the drivers are accompanied by junta council troops in civvies sitting on the passenger side.
“First, they arrested motorcycles and ordered us to attach sidecars to the motorcycles if we wish to avoid arrests. Then they arrested sidecars as well and demanded that we register the vehicles if we don’t want to be arrested. So we had to register. Now they went one step further and told us to go on patrols, saying that we won’t be allowed to ride our vehicles if we refused to follow it,” explained a sidecar driver.
The townships in Yangon where there are the highest numbers of motorcycle sidecars are said to be Shwepyithar, Thanlyin, South Dagon, North Dagon, East Dagon and Hlaingthayar Townships.
Lately, the junta council is abducting people who stay outside past 9 p.m. in Yangon and force conscripting them, with some residents having to pay ransom money for their release while some are not released even when paying ransom money.
