The Launglon Township People’s Defense Force (PDF) reportedly arrested eight female teachers and a female office clerk who were participating in the census-taking in Yebyu village tract of Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region.
According to reports, the resistance group first arrested a female teacher on the morning of 6 October on the Launglon-Dawei road while she was on her way from Launglon to Dawei to conduct the census.
Later that evening, seven other female teachers and an office clerk were arrested in their homes in Yephyu Village as they were returning from conducting the census in Dawei.
The arrested census takers are currently being interrogated and will be transferred to the Launglon Township People’s Administration Team after the investigation is completed, said the Launglon Township PDF spokesperson.
On 7 October, the military junta reported that seven people were arrested, including teachers Daw May Mi Moe, Daw Ohnmar Tun, Daw Khin Aye Hset, Daw Yin Yin Soe, Daw Mya Aye, principal Daw Phyu Phyu Htwe and Daw Thida, a clerk from the Yephyu village tract administration office, who all participated in the census in Yephyu village tract.
The junta has called on the public to condemn the arrest of the census takers and asked the security forces to step up necessary security measures.
The junta announced on 2 October that it would conduct a population and household census in areas under its control across Myanmar from October 1-15, deploying about 42,000 people.
Local sources report that since 1 October, the census-taking has only begun in three townships in Dawei Township, while no census has yet taken place in Launglon Township.
The Launglon Township People’s Defense Force has issued a warning that they will take stern action against those who participate in the military council’s census, and they have asked the public not to cooperate.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.