The military junta has stepped up inspections on travelers passing through Mawlamyine Township in Mon State, particularly targeting those carrying National Registration Cards (NRCs) issued in Magway (code 8/) and Sagaing (code 5/), according to local residents.
At key entry points into the city, especially the Thanlwin Bridge and Mottama side checkpoints as well as within Mawlamyine itself, junta forces are reportedly stopping and questioning both men and women, young and old, who hold 5/ or 8/ NRCs. Locals say those unable to pay bribes face arrest.
“They used to go after people with 13/ IDs, and now they’re targeting 5/ and 8/. When the soldiers ask for money, you must just pay to avoid interrogation. We don’t even want to let our youth travel anymore, young people are being pulled off the streets and forced into military service. After 5 p.m., they start conducting surprise checks all across the city,” said one Mawlamyine resident.
A young man from Sagaing, who was recently stopped, said junta soldiers demanded bribes ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 kyats if travelers couldn’t produce supporting documents.
“There were six of us on the vehicle entering Mawlamyine. It was getting dark and they told us to show our IDs. When they saw my 5/ NRC, they pulled me off the vehicle. They asked why I was coming to Mawlamyine, what job I did, who I worked for, and even how much I earned. Eventually, I had to pay 50,000 kyats to avoid further trouble.” He added.
He added that anyone carrying these ID types must be prepared to answer questions clearly. Otherwise, suspicion from junta troops could lead to arrest.
Sagaing and Magway are strongholds of anti-junta resistance, and locals believe the military’s heightened scrutiny stems from fears that youths from these regions might flee through Mon State into Thailand to avoid conscription under the junta’s military service law.
