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SHAN STATE – Residents of Taunggyi City reported that the ward administration teams under the junta council are going from door to door in several wards of the city, collecting money for the upcoming Thingyan festival.
It is said that the administration teams distributes collection slips in the wards including Yayayekwin, Phayarphyu, Kanshae, Nyaungshwe Hawkone, Zaypai, Lanmadaw and Myoma Wards on March 31 and said that the collection will be due by April 10.
“They said to pay as much as we’d like but we have to pay at least 10,000 Kyats. When I paid then 5,000 they asked to pay at least 10,000. If it’s going to be like that, they shouldn’t say to pay as much as we’d like. But it may also spill into their pockets,” said a resident of Yayayekwin Ward.
Although some houses in Yayayekwin Ward had to pay 10,000 Kyats, some wards only had to pay 5,000 Kyats, according to the residents.
The junta council is reportedly constructing three pavilions for Thingyan in Taunggyi, one near the market, one near the joint offices and Bogyoke Park and another near Taunggyi hotel, to celebrate the Thingyan festival and propagandize that the country is peaceful.
A resident of Kanshae Ward confirmed that dance practices are already in session at the Kanshae Ward Administration Office and that those who are picked as dancer cannot refuse, adding that mostly Non-CDM staff were picked as dancers.
Although the junta council has pressured Non-CDM staff and some bank employees to take part in the upcoming festivities, residents of the city said they won’t be taking part.