Narinjara News Monday, 28 April 2008
In a bid to woo traders to cast the "Yes" vote in the ensuing referendum, the Burmese military junta has stopped collecting toll from local traders and has been allowing traders to move freely without paying fees in western Burma, according to a woman trader who declined to be named.
"We had to pay at least three army outposts previously along the border when we came to Bangladesh from northern Arakan State, but now we do not need to pay anything to the camps to cross border points," the woman said.
"The army is now dealing with traders with kid gloves, which is very different from earlier times, and I suppose it is to lure our people to cast "Yes" votes," she added.
There are many army outposts in the border area in Paletwa Township in southern Chin State, to monitor people who travel back and forth between Burma, Bangladesh, and India.
"We had to pay 500 Kyats per trader to each army camp when we crossed the camps while going to neighbouring countries Bangladesh and India. But the army is not collecting toll from us at present. It has been decided by the authorities after the water festival," she said.
The army authorities are not only allowing traders to pass without paying toll, but they are also allowing traders to cross over without any harassment.
"Really, army personnel's behaviour has changed and it is very different than it was previously. Some army officials told us in a friendly manner to cast the "Yes" vote in the referendum. They explained to us that the referendum is very important for the future of Burma. If the constitution is approved by the Burmese people, they will get the same opportunities to move freely anywhere in the future," the woman said.
Many traders are now arriving with Burmese goods in Bangladesh after the authorities stopped collecting toll and are allowing them to visit the neighbouring countries unhindered.
Source
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