Residents Protest Plan to Hold Pro-Military Event on Festival Day

“Supporting the Tatmadaw is their right and we do not object to it. However, Tazaungdaing is a religious festival, and we object to the holding of an event supporting the military on a significant day for Buddha in Myanmar,” said U Tin Maung Toe, member of a Shan political group.

“They demean the festival, which draws many local and foreign travellers besides Shan people, for their political interests. Who will take responsibility for public safety if violence happens? If the people worry about safety and don’t come to the festival, it can affect residents who are relying on visitors to earn a living. It would be better if they postponed their event,” he said.

According to sources that declined to be named, the Social Networking and National Security Organisation and Veteran’s Organisation of Taunggyi will lead a show of support for the military on Pyidaungsu road on the opening day of the festival.

“I dislike the idea of these organisations holding an event on the same day and in the same location. We have been waiting all year for the festival. If violence occurs, we are worried about the safety of women and children attending the festival,” said resident Daw Nan Mo Moe Thihda.

A letter of protest seeking to postpone the pro-military event signed by 15 CSOs was sent to the Shan State government on Sunday.

“It shouldn’t happen like this. The authorities should not allow it,” said U Win Naing Soe, chair of the Law Enforcement Network, one of the 15 groups that signed the letter.

“We have no authority over whether they can hold their event, but the Taunggyi police and police from other townships will be present for security,” he added.

This is the third show of support for the military in Taunggyi this year.

“Participants in the event will assemble peacefully and will not shout or march,” said one of the organisers of the event.

“We will hold seven placards. Our main aim is to show support for the Tatmadaw,” said U Win Naing, a retired military officer.

The posters will state that they will not accept any reduction of the military’s power. They also accuse social media site Facebook of political interference in Myanmar, and the UN Fact-Finding Commission on Myanmar and ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights of unfair and biased reports and findings against the military.