Northern Shan State locals forced to hold many IDs cards to avoid repression by rebel groups
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Phyo/ Thant Zin (NP News) - July 1
A local resident told the NP News that residents of northern Shan State are forced to carry up to four ID cards per person.
It is reported that since June 1, the TNLA has been pressuring local residents in Namtu Township to accept household registration and ID cards issued by the group without their consent. Similarly, the MNDAA is also issuing ID cards and household registration documents in areas under its control.
“It’s around four IDs, mostly for drivers, because they travel on the road. There will be a Palaung registration, an MNDAA registration, and they have to carry around four IDs including the Myanmar-issued one. The registration process for each group is also different,” said a local woman.
Another local man said that people who hold four types of IDs may face misunderstandings when traveling and, if they are not careful, they may be accused of being spies and killed.
“If you go to a TNLA-controlled area with a government-recognized ID card, there’s a fear you could be killed as a spy. People are trying to move around with all these challenges. That’s the reality,” he said.
The TNLA has restrictions on businesses that are not registered with them, and only those who hold the ID they provide can get the rights to operate, the local said.
“If you have the ID they provide, it’s easier to do business. They have a sense of support for them. That’s the way it is. After they asked you to register, it’s different from place to place. It’s different in Kyaukme and Namtu. Taxes are being collected in different areas. In Namkham, you have to pay in yuan. This is different from one area to another,” he said.
As a result, residents in TNLA-controlled areas are facing other social difficulties, including ID issues, vehicle licensing issues, and high taxes.
Similarly, it was announced that those returning to Mindat, Chin State, would only be allowed to return with the approval of the Mindat People Administration group, a Chin armed PDF group.
However, in order to return to their homes, locals will need to pay a revolutionary fund to their group, and only those with this receipt will be allowed to enter the city.