Myanmar Spring Chronicle – October 7 Scene
(MoeMaKa) October 8, 2024
PDF Detains Census Collectors in Tanintharyi Region
It has been reported that on October 6, a group of eight female education officers working under the military council, assigned to collect census data, along with one female administrative staff member, were detained by a local PDF group in Laung Lone.
The military council began collecting census data on October 1, claiming it was necessary to ensure accurate voter lists for the upcoming election, which is expected to be held next year. The census collection involves participation from various government employees, including immigration, education, and general administration officials.
In Myanmar, it’s a long-standing practice for governments to assign schoolteachers and education officers to assist in elections, voter list preparations, or census collection. These officials have no choice but to comply with orders from their superiors. This recent detention of civilian employees by armed PDF groups has sparked criticism, with some questioning whether such actions mirror the oppressive tactics used by the military council.
In response to media inquiries, the Laung Lone PDF group mentioned that they were currently interrogating the detainees and would act according to administrative guidance. They also indicated that the detainees would be released after receiving written guarantees.
The PDFs oppose the military council’s planned election, viewing it as a way for the junta to legitimize its power. By detaining census collectors, the PDFs aim to prevent the election from taking place. However, concerns have arisen over whether such actions, if escalated to more severe levels of torture or killings, could violate the Geneva Conventions, which apply to armed groups.
There is also debate on whether detaining or punishing civilians involved in the military council’s electoral process is the right approach. In Chin State’s Hakka town, the local PDF group has also issued warnings, saying they will shoot anyone involved in census collection.
Various PDFs and the National Unity Government (NUG) appear to share a common goal of preventing the military council’s election from happening. However, differing stances exist among PDFs regarding how to approach the situation, and the potential consequences of targeting civilian employees involved in the process should be considered.
**Flooding in Villages Around Inle Lake**
Another major concern today is the ongoing flooding in villages around Inle Lake in Nyaung Shwe Township. The floods, which have lasted for weeks, are caused by heavy rains, and neighboring areas in Kayah State, such as Loikaw and Demoso townships, are also experiencing high water levels.
Since early September, heavy rains from a remnant storm system have triggered landslides, flash floods, and overflows in towns like Tachileik, Kalaw, Nyaung Shwe, and Shwenyaung, cutting off roads and severely impacting communities living around Inle Lake. Many villages are now facing unprecedented levels of flooding.
The severe flooding in Inle Lake has been exacerbated by ongoing rainfall in the upper watershed regions, which typically occurs every October when the lake reaches its highest levels.
While local communities in Nyaung Shwe are assisting flood victims, those in areas like Loikaw and Demoso, which are cut off due to ongoing armed conflicts and military blockades, are facing even greater hardships. In these conflict zones, the difficulty of accessing supplies and medicine is already dire, and the added burden of flooding has intensified the suffering, leading to further destruction and challenges in survival.
It has also been reported that well-known philanthropist and actor Khine Hnin Wai was one of the few individuals allowed to assist flood victims in Loikaw, though her access was limited, according to social media posts.
While in some international armed conflicts, warring parties have temporarily halted hostilities to provide humanitarian aid during natural disasters, there seems to be little likelihood of such a situation occurring in Myanmar.