The military council has increased security in Kyainseikgyi and Kawkareik Townships in Karen State, which have been placed under martial law, and made more arrests and demands for money, according to locals.
On 2 February, the military council imposed martial law in Karen State’s Kyainseikgyi and Kawkareik on the grounds of more effectively enforcing the rule of law, security and peace in those areas, and imposed a 6pm – 6am curfew.
Since the imposition of martial law, the regime has deployed more troops and tightened security in the townships, locals said.
“We’ve seen troop movements in downtown areas. They have been reinforcing checkpoints. And the military council is now stricter than before,” said one Kyainseikgyi resident.
In addition, junta soldiers arrest, beat or threaten people who leaves their homes between 6 pm and 6 am, locals report.
“Shops are closed as early as 5 pm. If you are a little late, you get arrested and punished. Since the shops that sell at night have to close, it has become difficult for them to earn a living. Some people have to be bailed out with money,” said a Kyainseikgyi resident.
According to local reports, the regime has arrested at least 20 people since the imposition of martial law in Kyainseikgyi Township.
Security has also reportedly been tightened in Kawkareik Township, and junta soldiers are extorting more and more people, at least 15 of whom were arrested after martial law was imposed.
“No one dares to leave the house after 6 pm. Those arrested are ordinary people who were cut off from news and were just going about their work. They were arrested because they thought they would be allowed to leave the house,” said a resident of Kawkareik.
The resident further said that people in Kyainseikgyi and Kawkareik Townships are living in a state of worry as the junta’s controls have become stricter and there have been more arrests.
Sent by IMNA.