Local: car clampdown show of force

General

Local: car clampdown show of force

The country wide crackdown on unlicensed automobiles that began last Saturday, 30 October, has been put down by a respected local resident as a psycho warfare by the new administration under Lt-Gen Soe Win to wipe out any vestigial influence left by ousted Gen Khin Nyunt and his discredited Military Intelligence on the populace, report King Cobra and Tai Touch:

"It's simply to show us people who's boss," a long-time resident of Mongton township, Monghsat district, opposite Chiangmai, commented after 85 motor vehicles seized by military and police authorities on Tuesday (2 November) were returned yesterday (3 November).

The locals reportedly paid 50,000 kyat ($50) each to redeem their Japanese-made cars imported via Thailand with clear approval from the military especially the MI. They were also warned against traveling beyond Tachilek in the east and Taunggyi in the west.

In Tachilek, where authorities, during the three-day campaign, 31 October - 2 November, have grabbed more than 500 cars, people have been notified to report on the remaining vehicles still at large. "No hint whatever was given whether we would be allowed to keep our cars if and after we make our reports," said a local militia member. "So I'm still in a quandary what to do about it."

"Maybe, reports from the BBC, DVB, RFA and VOA can give us a clue of the course we should follow," he hoped.

The ongoing crackdown on unlicensed automobiles all over Burma has received wide coverage from the exiled media.