Junta checkpoints continue checking passengers with photograph

Some military checkpoints along the Sittwe-Yangon highway in Rakhine State are checking the passengers on buses, said motorists and local residents.

“The junta forces held up a photograph and checked if any passenger looked like that in it. The people in the photograph are being searched by the soldiers,” said a passenger, who faced the problem on the road.

A motorist, who did not want to be named, said that the junta forces inspected it at Kyauk Tan checkpoint in Sittwe township. Some other checkpoints like Kyauk Taw brigade 9 and also in Ann township have witnessed the same activities.

"Passengers in vehicles are being checked. In recent days, when the cars come out early in the morning, they face the screening at Kyauk Tan checkpoint. Same thing happens at Pepa Dom checkpoint in Ann township," he added.

The passengers have to show their registration and addresses. Even the military members checked whether persons in the photograph match with anyone.

Recently, two male passengers were arrested from a checkpoint near Ann township as they were travelling by a bus from Yangon.

On 29 August, Maung Nyi Nyi San (19) from Saitara village under Maebon township and another young man were arrested on suspicion of being members of the Arakan Army from Dong Cheung checkpoint outside Gwa township, while they were on the way to Yangon  from Taungup in southern Rakhine areas.

The military council has had an informal ceasefire with the AA since November 2022. The situation has been returning to near normalcy. But locals apprehend that such activities of the junta forces will deteriorate the situation in coming days.