Junta says no democracy without support for draft charter

_{By Hseng Khio Fah}
 
On 15 March, Kunhing based Area Operations Commander Tin Maung Swe and Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council Ngwe Toe held a meeting with village tract and quarter headmen at the Township Peace and Development Council's office.
 
In the meeting, they urged the headmen to teach people how to vote ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum.
 
Ngwe Toe said, "If there are more crosses than ticks, the democracy that people are looking forward will not be achieved. Then, we will be forced to return to the National Convention again and draft another constitution. That's why people have to support it."
 
Again, on 2 April, Kyaw Swe , Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council of Mongpiang, Eastern Shan State, summoned the village tract headmen and provided referendum training to teach people to tick " Yes" in support of the junta drafted constitution.
 
He threatened, "Officials and people who are in the training must under to train the people to support the constitution according to the methods that we have taught you. People who oppose the constitution will go to prison for 3 years with Kyat 100,000 (US $ 90) fine."
 
Officials from 28 village tracts of Mongpiang Township attended the training. The training was held for 3 days, according to a source.
 
After attending the training, the headmen were forced to hold referendum workshops each in his own area.
 
Junta newspapers have called in bold headlines yesterday for the people to give full support to the charter.