Junta takes census in Wa, Mongla territory
By Hseng Khio Fah
Shan Herald Agency for News
More than 80 officials from several civil and governmental departments with 7 trucks in Kengtung, are reported to have started taking census in the areas under the control of United Wa State Army (UWSA) and its ally Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) since February 26.
The census is being carried out by officials from departments such as immigration, police, special bureau, township peace and development councils (TPDC). They were divided into four groups.
However, one group of 27 officials along with 2 trucks, going into Mongpawk, south of the Wa capital Panghsang, were not allowed to pass into the area due to lack of permission from the top, said a local resident.
They were stopped by the Wa at Khosoong gate, the boundary line between the Wa and Mongla. The group returned to Kengtung on the following day.
The remaining 3 groups conducted census in the Mongla region. So far, they have collected family lists in the Hsalue-based 369th Brigade, Yang Nguen (Akha village), Yangkawng, southeast of Mongla, said a source.
However, there has been no information as to what kind of cards villagers will receive.
“They [authorities] told us that they would give ID cards. But we don’t know what type and color we will get,” a local resident told SHAN.
In 2008, there were many temporary ID cards of different colors that the authorities had issued to the people such as yellow, green and white.
Some border watchers say the junta is trying to complete the national census before the 2010 elections.
The returned group has reportedly appealed to the Triangle Regional commander to discuss with the leaders of Panghsang. However, the commander replied that he could not do that without orders from Nay Pyi Taw, said a source close to the junta.
“The reason we did not admit the junta’s officials was because of tight security restrictions before the celebrations,” a source quoted a Wa officer saying.
Wa and Mongla stopped junta officials from issuing temporary cards in their regions in March 2008, according to SHAN report in April 2008.
Census is also being conducted in Mon State, Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA) reported yesterday.
