The terrorist military council is using the national database system with e-ID verification 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. Immigration and military officers can access this national database system at any time to check suspicious individuals’ personal information and verify their details.
The sources indicate that checkpoints and routes throughout the country are now connected to the national database computer system, allowing authorities to check individuals through the Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS). This system contains registration records of military deserters, police deserters, CDM staff, and those with political offense records. The military council has implemented these computerized verification checkpoints at various locations including Junction 3, 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.
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 who attempt to cross to Mae Sot while applying for bridge crossing permits. The agency warned that since CDM staff information is stored in the computer system, those listed cannot escape detection. The military council has collected biographical data from all Myanmar citizens through the e-ID system and entered it into the database, along with biometric data collection, verification, and unique ID (UID) number issuance.
The council is now using this system to track and arrest their targets. This increased technological surveillance and oppression by the military council has made it necessary for people to be more cautious in their movements. Analysts point out that the military council’s enhanced use of technology for civilian surveillance and control has created additional challenges for the safety and freedom of movement of the Myanmar people, particularly those involved in anti-regime activities or those who have left military and civil service positions in protest against the coup.
