Mizzima-Sept 2
The Yangon General Administration Department has reinstated a curfew from 1:00 am to 3:00 am across 31 of the 33 townships in the Yangon region, effective on 27 August. The curfew excludes only Seikgyikanaungto and Dala townships, according to an order signed by Yangon Region General Administrator Nyi Nyi Min. This curfew reimposition comes as a continuation of restrictions initially put in place by the junta following the February 2021 coup. While the original curfew ran from midnight to 4:00 am, the hours were reduced to 1:00 am to 3:00 am as of 27 October 2023. Townships under martial law, including North Dagon, South Dagon, Dagon Seikkan, Hlaingthayar, Shwe Pyi Thar, and North Okkalapa, will continue to enforce the curfew even without the revocation of martial law. Although the 27 August curfew is largely seen as a reissuance of the previous order, revolutionary forces active in the area suspect that the junta might have additional motives, possibly related to facilitating illegal arrests. In recent months, reports have circulated about young people being pursued by private cars on Yangon’s streets at night. Rumors suggest that the junta is hunting down young men to forcibly recruit them for military service, though these claims have not been independently confirmed by Mizzima. With the curfew in effect, Yangon’s streets are now mostly deserted after 8:00 pm, with only a few pedestrians visible, and many businesses have adjusted their hours to close earlier, according to local residents. Members of the Mayangone Democratic Front have urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid going out unnecessarily.
“The junta never acts in good faith. They’re always looking for ways to exploit the people. We urge everyone to be cautious and not fall victim to their schemes,” said a member of the Mayangone Democratic Front. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/09/02/13499
