Since six townships in the Yangon Region have been placed under martial law by the State Administration Council (SAC), people from Mon State who had been living in Yangon are returning to their homes.
“In previous days, there were often people returning home to Mon State. But these days, larger numbers have returned. Most people returning home feel insecure and that is the reason why they return home. So, we have abandoned our houses in Yangon and returned to Mon State to live with our relatives here in Mawlamyine,” said a Yangon resident who returned to the Mon State’s Mawlamyine Capital.
Most of the people who have returned are factory workers who are now unemployed due to the political crisis.
“Our parents have returned home already. But I have a job here and have to finish some tasks. So, I have not returned yet. The situation here in Shwe Pauk Kan is still stable. Not sure when they [security forces] will come and make arrests, [force us to porter] or fire their guns. I am worried day and night. [Some] people here have come down with mental disabilities,” said a Thanbyuzayat resident working in Shwe Pauk Kan.
Following the burning of two Chinese-owned garment factories on March 14, security forces opened fire, leaving more than 38 people dead.
Six townships — Hlaing Thar Yar, Shwe Pyi Thar, North Dagon, South Dagon, Dagon Seikkan, and North Okkalapa — subsequently were placed under martial law.
Six townships in Mon State are also under a nightly curfew, prohibiting individuals from being outside between 8pm and 4am. The curfew has been causing difficulties for rescue services, daily wage workers and rubber harvesters.
The civil disobedience movement (CDM) has adapted protest tactics, now conducting sit-ins, distributing stickers with pro-CDM messages or organizing protest events involving motorcycle-riding around.Â
