Junta imposes restriction on bus ticket sales to Rakhine people

The bus stations have been instructed by the military junta to avoid selling tickets to the individuals holding 11/National Registration Cards (NRC) issued to Rakhine people, said a travel agent.

The restriction was imposed by the junta after the Arakan Army (AA) captured nine Rakhine townships after heavy fighting. Since then, many Rakhine young travelers were arrested by the junta authorities at airport & bus stations in  Yangon, Mandalay, Kyauk Phyu  and Sittwe.

However, the employees and students are allowed to purchase tickets if they possess a recommendation letter.

"The bus stations are currently prohibited from selling tickets to 11/NRC holders. Only the government employees and students with a recommendation letter are allowed to travel,” he added.

Another travel agency employee from Yangon confirmed that many leaflets were posted at Aung Mingalar highway bus station in the Yangon region directing not to sell tickets to 11/NRC holders.

He informed Narinjara News that the military junta issued the instructions to prohibit the sale of tickets to any 11/NRC holders across Myanmar.

"The  junta has issued the instruction to prohibit the sale of tickets to any 11/NRC holder. As for other NRC holders, they are asked to present their original NRC, along with recommendation letters from the police station and ward administrators,” he added.

An air travel ticket agent in Sittwe stated that the air travel facility still continues and it remains a convenient means for travellers.

"There is no flight restriction till this moment. The people are travelling from Sittwe to Yangon and vice versa. However, I will advise young people to avoid travelling to Sittwe from Yangon, as there is a possibility of  arrest at the airport," she added.