The terrorist military council is using an electronic ID verification system linked to a National Database to identify and arrest military deserters, police deserters, Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) staff, and political activists across the country, according to military sources in Naypyidaw. The council has detailed records of military deserters, police deserters, CDM staff, and escaped political activists from across the country stored in their computerized National Database system. This database can be accessed at any time by immigration officials and military officers to verify personal information and check suspicious individuals.
The military council has implemented the Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS) connected to the National Database at checkpoints and along travel routes throughout the country. This system contains registration records of all military deserters, police deserters, CDM staff, and those with political offense records. The database is being actively used at various checkpoints including Junction 3, Mile 26 on Yangon-Mandalay Highway, Min Lwe Kon Gate at the Hlegu-Bago border, Nyaung Khar Shay, Hpa-an Gate, Myawaddy Border Gate, Tachileik Border Gate, and Kawthaung Border Gate.
According to a border crossing service agency based in Myawaddy on the Thai-Myanmar border, there has been an increase in arrests of CDM staff members when they attempt to process bridge crossing documents to Mae Sot. The agency warned that since CDM staff information is stored in the computer system, those listed in the database cannot escape detection. The military council has collected biographic and biometric data from all Myanmar citizens through the e-ID system, entering this information into the database and issuing Unique ID (UID) numbers. They are now using this system to track down and arrest their targets.
The implementation of this technological surveillance and control system by the military council represents an intensification of their oppression of civilians. The system allows for real-time verification of individuals’ status and history, making it increasingly difficult for those opposing the regime to move freely within the country or cross borders. The comprehensive database includes detailed personal information, making it a powerful tool for the military council to identify and apprehend those they consider threats or opponents to their rule. This systematic approach to surveillance and control has created additional challenges for civilians, particularly those involved in the resistance movement or attempting to flee military persecution, necessitating increased caution and awareness when traveling or conducting daily activities.
