In Ushitpin town of Pantaung Township, Bago Region, Ward Administrator Aung Ko of Pyitawtha Ward is forcing local residents to cook meals for military council troops. According to local sources, this forced labor is being justified by claims that military council soldiers are experiencing food shortages during ongoing battles in the Bago Yoma mountain range. Currently, military troops are reportedly surviving on only pumpkin pulp and three small fish, which is being used as a pretext to force residents to take turns cooking meals by street.
Ward Administrator Aung Ko has created a roster of local residents and is ordering them to cook meals according to their street assignments and deliver the food to the administrator’s office. Additionally, gambling operators and military supporters are collecting donations for soldiers including bottled water, soft drinks, dried fish, fermented fish paste, betel leaves, and dried noodles. The forced meal preparation is being systematically organized with residents required to participate on a rotating basis by street.
The battles taking place in the Bago Yoma region are reportedly very intense, with high casualties on the military council side. Remaining military council soldiers are said to be experiencing low morale, with many deserting or returning to rear areas without orders. Due to these heavy losses, administrators, hundred-household heads and military supporters in Ushitpin are organizing ward-by-ward meal preparation efforts to demonstrate support for the military, even as they force civilians to participate against their will in supporting military forces that are oppressing the local population.
