Junta imposes travel restrictions on Arakanese, Wa, Kokang, Palaung in Yangon

Saw Shin May, Narinjara News, 28 August 2024

The military junta in Yangon has imposed the travel restrictions on Arakanese people holding 11/national registration cards (NRC), as well as on Wa, Kokang and Palaung individuals holding 13/Shan State NRC cards, within the areas currently controlled by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA).

At Aung Mingalar highway bus station in Mingaladon of Yangon, the Arakanese individuals with 11/NRC cards can purchase tickets only if they can show recommendation letters from both the police station and ward administrator.

An Arakanese national, who recently bought a car ticket with recommendation letters,  noted that these letters were issued only for employment purposes, not for travel, by the concerned police officers and ward administration officials, and it was causing difficulties for the Arakanese people.

"For 11/NRC holders, you need recommendation letters from both the police station and the ward administrator to buy a car ticket. Without these two letters, you cannot purchase a ticket. However, the police station and ward administration office only issue recommendation letters for job applications, not for travel. As a result, now it becomes difficult for 11/NRC Arakanese people to travel," said the Arakanese national, adding that the recommendation letters are valid for one day only.

"They don't really want to issue recommendation letters to 11/NRC holders. As these letters were valid for one day only,  I had to return urgently. It's very inconvenient to travel with such a short permit when one travels with family members for health issues," he stated.

The travelers have to pay Kyats 2,000 to 5,000 to the police and administration officers to obtain such a recommendation letter, he alleged.

The junta has recently banned 13/Shan State NRC holders (such as Wa, Kokang, and Palaung individuals) from obtaining car tickets, said an internally displaced person in Yangon.

The junta authorities also imposed travel restrictions on 7, 5 &  8/NRC holders from Bago, Sagaing and Magwe localities where the resistance forces remain strong.

The travel restrictions on Arakanese, Wa, Kokang and Palaung individuals came to exist after Operation 1027 within the specific areas.