Locals say the military council is pressuring vendors to open their stalls at the Shwe Set Taw Pagoda Festival in Minbu Township, Magway Region.
The Shwe Set Taw Pagoda Festival, which will be open from 2 February to 17 April (the first day of the Myanmar New Year).
A vendor at the pagoda festival said, “The authorities told us they would keep our names on the list. They said if we don’t sell now, we shouldn’t expect to sell later. They have also collected fees for the temporary guesthouses.”
The vendor said that we will have to pay a large sum of money for the permits for temporary guesthouses and stalls. They are gathering those who operated stalls in the previous year.
Vendors say they are concerned about their safety due to the current military situation and the fighting that occurred in November and December 2024.
In addition, there are concerns that there will be no pilgrims visiting the pagoda. Only those who fear refusing the military council are renting the shops and temporary guesthouses through auctions.
A vendor from the pagoda festival said that the Shwe Set Taw Pagoda Festival is being organized by a monk, who is directing both militia and junta soldiers.
Vendors at the pagoda say that small militia and military council camps have been set up around the pagoda, and security cameras have been installed.
Pro-junta propaganda media announced that the construction of over 140 guesthouses and stalls for the Shwe Set Taw Pagoda Festival has been completed.
Sent by Than Lwin Times
