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 free political activists from across the country stored in a computerized National Database system. This database can be accessed at any time by immigration officials and military officers to verify suspicious individuals’ personal information and cross-reference their details.
The military council has implemented the Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS) connected to the National Database, which allows them to check individuals at various checkpoints and along travel routes nationwide. The system contains registration information for all military deserters, police deserters, CDM staff, and those with political offense records. The military has installed checkpoints with access to this database system at various locations including No. 3 Junction, Mile 26 of 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.
At the Myawaddy border gate in particular, there has been a recent increase in arrests of CDM staff members who attempt to cross to Mae Sot while applying for bridge crossing permits. According to a border crossing service agency based in Myawaddy, the military council has entered CDM staff information into their computer system, making it impossible for listed individuals to avoid detection. The council has been collecting both biographical and biometric data from Myanmar citizens through the e-ID system and entering it into the database, issuing Unique ID (UID) numbers, and using this system to track and arrest targeted individuals. This comprehensive surveillance and control system represents an escalation in the military council’s efforts to suppress dissent and restrict the movement of those who oppose their rule.
