In U Shit Pin town of Pantaung Township, Bago Region, Ward Administrator Aung Ko of Pyitawtha Ward is forcing local residents to cook meals that are being sent to military forces on the frontlines. As the military council forces are reportedly starving during ongoing battles on the Bago Yoma mountain range, the ward administrator is compelling civilians to cook meals against their will. Currently, residents within the ward are being made to take turns cooking meals by street, and must deliver the prepared food to the administrator’s office, according to local sources.
The military council forces are suffering heavy casualties in the battles taking place on Bago Yoma, and the administrator is forcing civilians to cook meals under the pretext that remaining troops only have preserved bamboo shoots and three dried fish to eat. Military council troops are experiencing low morale, with many deserting or returning to rear areas without orders. As a result, administrators, hundred-household heads and civilians in U Shit Pin are being made to organize meal packages by ward to create an appearance of public support for the military.
Additionally, military council supporters and gamblers are collecting donations for the soldiers including bottled water, soft drinks, dried fish, fermented fish paste, betel leaves, and dried noodles. Local residents are being forced to provide labor against their will and must cook meals for the military, which has left them feeling frustrated and demoralized. However, they are complying out of fear of threats from the administrator. The civilians have no choice but to follow these coercive orders despite their strong opposition to supporting the military council forces who continue to commit violence against the people.
