Travelers without Mon State identification cards are facing intensified scrutiny at military checkpoints along the Yangon-Mawlamyine and Mawlamyine-Ye highways, according to reports.
At these checkpoints, military authorities are closely inspecting travelers from other regions, verifying their employment details and addresses. Those unable to provide documentation from their local ward or police station are reportedly being asked for bribes and having their movement restricted.
A local from Ye said, “In Ye, both the military and resistance groups are present. The military focuses on your place of origin. If you don’t have a local ID, you need supporting documents to travel. Without them, you have to pay a bribe. Resistance groups, on the other hand, question your occupation, asking if you’re a government employee or not.”
According to a driver operating on the Mawlamyine-Yangon route, travelers without local Mon State identification are being charged between 5,000 and 10,000 MMK (Myanmar Kyat) to continue their journey.
“ID checks are the main issue. If someone has a 4/ or 5/ ID, the authorities thoroughly investigate. Especially travelers from Rakhine or other regions have to take detours around checkpoints like Bilu Island’s one, as the military demands excessive amounts of money,” the driver said.
Not only at checkpoints, but ticket sales offices are also requiring non-Mon State travelers to provide verification documents from their local ward administrator or police station before selling tickets.
Since April 1, the military-controlled Immigration Department has mandated the use of national registration cards for travel.
Since the military coup, Mon State has seen a rise in the number of military checkpoints, as well as those set up by resistance groups.
