Myanmar Spring Chronicle – November 16 Scenes
(MoeMaKa, November 17, 2024)
Reckless Acts of Throwing Donations During Tazaungdaing and Responsibility-Free Attitudes
Airstrikes in Mohnyin Township Result in 9 Deaths
During the Tazaungdaing Festival season in Yangon, there is a recurring practice known as “throwing donations,” where money is scattered along roads from moving vehicles. This custom, which emerged relatively recently, is based on the traditional concept of making donations anonymously. However, the manner of execution differs significantly. Historically, donations were left discreetly in places without revealing the donors’ identities. The current practice of scattering money from vehicles during the festival days is a stark contrast.
During the full moon night of Tazaungdaing, this custom has increasingly gained popularity in Yangon. Crowds, including children and adults, line up along major roads to collect the thrown money, while those distributing it do so without regard for the safety of the collectors. This disregard for responsibility often leads to accidents.
This year alone, at least 9 people lost their lives in vehicular accidents caused by this practice. Reports indicate that on Tazaungdaing night, five people died on the Wazeiyanta Road in Thingangyun Township when a crowd collecting scattered money was hit by a vehicle. It is believed that one car distributed the money, prompting the crowd to rush onto the road, and another vehicle struck them.
In another incident in Shwepyithar Township, a mother collecting donations with her three children was hit by a car, resulting in fatalities. These two incidents, along with others in different areas, resulted in a total of 9 deaths, according to news reports.
While this practice has existed even before the military coup, the heightened economic struggles and the weakening rule of law have led to increased accidents and fatalities in recent years. Despite the modest amounts of money collected, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of kyats, the risks, including life-threatening accidents, are substantial.
The method of scattering donations also reflects a lack of empathy and responsibility. Donors appear to prioritize their personal desires over the dignity and safety of those collecting the money, failing to consider the potential dangers involved.
Furthermore, the lack of legal enforcement and accountability allows such dangerous activities to persist. Year after year, during these festival days, there is little intervention from authorities to regulate these practices or maintain road safety. The general public, grappling with poverty and desperation, participates in these activities despite the risks to their lives and dignity.
Airstrikes in Mohnyin Township Leave 9 Civilians Dead
Another tragic event reported today is the airstrike by the military junta in Mohnyin Township, resulting in the deaths of 9 people. The attack targeted refugees in Konelo Village, Mohnyin Township, Kachin State.
This area, under the control of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) since August, suffered heavy bombing. The airstrike hit a location where internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sheltering. Reports indicate that all 9 fatalities were civilians, including six members from the same family.
The airstrike targeted a Christian church serving as a refuge for IDPs. Such attacks are not uncommon, as the junta frequently bombs monasteries, churches, and schools in areas believed to harbor armed resistance groups. However, these locations often serve as shelters for civilians fleeing conflict.
While the military junta claims that such attacks are based on intelligence suggesting the presence of armed groups, the reality often shows civilian casualties. Analysts suggest that these airstrikes are attempts by the junta to disrupt stability in areas under resistance control, undermining claims of peace and order.