In U Shit Pin town of Pantaung Township, Bago Region, Ward Administrator Aung Ko is forcing local residents to cook meals for military troops on the frontlines. As the military council forces are reportedly starving during battles on the Bago Yoma mountain range, the Pyitawthar Ward Administrator is compelling residents to take turns cooking meals by street and delivering them to the military, according to local sources.
The administrator claims that military troops are surviving only on dried gourd and three small fish on the frontlines, using this as justification to force civilians to cook meals. Currently, residents of Pyitawthar Ward must take daily turns preparing food and delivering it to the administrator’s office under his orders. The forced labor situation has created significant hardship for local civilians who have no choice but to comply with these demands despite their unwillingness.
The ongoing battles on Bago Yoma have been intense, with the military council suffering heavy casualties. Remaining military council troops are reported to be experiencing low morale, with increasing numbers of soldiers fleeing or returning to rear areas without orders. Due to these military setbacks, administrators, hundred-household heads and civilians in U Shit Pin town are being forced to organize ward-by-ward meal preparation to create an appearance of public support for the military.
Additionally, military council affiliates and gamblers are collecting donations for the soldiers including bottled water, soft drinks, dried fish, fermented fish paste, betel leaves, and dried noodles. While local residents are deeply frustrated at being forced to provide labor against their will, they must comply with the administrator’s demands under threat of consequences. The situation reflects the ongoing oppression of civilians by military council authorities who continue to exploit local communities to support their operations.
