Irrawaddy-Oct 3
The Chinland Defense Force (CDF) in Hakha attacked regime forces providing security for census takers in the Chin State capital on Tuesday morning, according to residents. Junta staff collecting census data turned back after nearly 30 minutes of fighting near a police station in the city, said residents. They were only visiting households near junta-held areas. A CDF spokesman said: “We attacked the census taking. We don’t know about junta casualties. They responded fiercely this time. We will attack again if they continue to take the census.” The regime plans to compile voter lists based on the October 1-15 census and hold a general election next year. Junta opponents say the plans are a sham intended to prolong the military’s grip on power. The CDF warned on September 23 that it would kill junta staff taking the census as they were regime soldiers. The anti-regime Chin Brotherhood said on September 30 that it would target census-taking operations in Tedim, Falam, Matupi, Mindat and Kanpetlet townships where the group is active. Falam residents said census taking has started close to military bases. According to residents in Rakhine State – where the Arakan Army has seized 10 of 17 townships – the regime has started conducting the census in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Ann and Taungup townships.
Taungup residents said the regime trained General Administration Department staff and teachers in September to take the census. Large numbers of police provide security and the census takers are reportedly being given 5,000 kyats (around US$1) per day for expenses. A Taungup resident said: “People wait at home in fear that they will get into trouble if they are absent when junta officials come. They answer the questions to avoid getting in trouble.” Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/
