YANGON DIVISION – Several residents of Tamwe and Kamayut Townships reported that they had to answer the questions in the junta census out of fear as there were not only junta soldiers and police but a large number of Pyu Saw Htee and Pyithusit thugs.
The junta council began conducting census starting 7 a.m. on October 1 and it is said that armed Pyu Saw Htee and Pyithusit militants accompanied the junta soldiers and police that were conducting census in crowded areas such as Tamwe and Kamayut Townships.
“Seven of them came up the apartment. There were general administration, soldier, police and immigration and a teacher in uniform. The rest were not in uniform. Because the soldier and police were just sitting there staring at us, we had to answer their questions. Even when we said we don’t know, they would force answers. It was almost like a threat,” said a Tamwe resident.
Similarly in Kamayut Township, a resident revealed that they were pressured into answering questions they weren’t willing to answer because junta police and several Pyu Saw Htee thugs from the ward accompanied the group conducting census.
“My mom just passed away recently. They asked why we have yet to remove her from the household register, saying we need to do it immediately (after her passing). They also asked about our income and if we possessed any gold. I don’t know what kind of questions those are. I was forced to answer question that I don’t want to answer. So I just nodded along. It did not go well at all. I was just a woman alone at home. Their questions cover everyone in the house. It wasn’t clear if it was conducting census or an investigation,” said a housewife from Kamayut.
The terrorist junta council has started conducting census from October 1 and will continue till October 15.
