In southern Chin state, the Kyaukpyu based Burma Army Infantry Battalion 34 in Meihwa, Paletwa Township do not allow villagers to go out of the village if they do not take permission from the army, a local said.

"We have to reveal all the details about where we are going, the number of days and the purpose of our travel to the army, if we plan to go out of our village" he said.

"We have no idea why we need to take permission. We feel that the army is afraid that we may lend support and contact underground outfits, he added.

Besides, all traders arriving in the village have to drop into the army camp and are asked whether they have any contact with underground groups.

If a person does not come back in time and reports to the army, troops are sent to his family and they are ordered to send a family member to call him back immediately.

"We don't have freedom to travel. A journey may take a month or more than that and we are harassed without any reason, he added.

Residents in other villages in Paletwa also have to submit details of their journey before they go out of the village.

It is also learnt that the Meihwa based army unit forces villagers to guard their camp every night, draw water for the army camp and do other jobs.

Meihwa village has about 150 households with a population of 1,000. The locals are into agricultural work.

The Meihwa based army unit started this restriction on villagers 15 years ago.  – KNG.