By Kantarawaddy Times
On 31 January, the Burma Army ordered that local people must get official travel documents before they travel in Shardaw Township of Karenni state.
“We have been told that local people need to possess travel documents from relevant officials before travelling in Shardaw township. This rule started on 31 January on orders of the Burma Army. This is a hassle for us because we now must bring travel document wherever we go. We now have to bring our travel documents even when we go to tend our rotational farm plots or go to Loikaw town,” a male resident of Shardaw town (source 1), told Kantarawaddy Times.
A female resident of Shardaw town (source 2) said that she didn’t know the reason why the military regime made this rule, but she said it creates hardships for local people.
“My village is located at high altitude, so it is difficult for us to go ask for this travel document from officials. We are afraid that we may meet Burma Army soldiers when we go to our rotational farms, and we are scared what they might do to us if we cannot show a travel document. Because of this new rule, we are very worried about our safety,” she (source 2) told Kantarawaddy Times.
On 2 February, the military regime imposed martial law in Shardaw Township. The imposition of martial law makes the situation even more dangerous for local people. As a consequence of the imposition of martial law, local people are worried that Burma Army soldiers will shoot them when they cannot show travel documents.
