Vehicles wait for passengers at the Aung Mingalar Express Bus Terminal in Yangon. / The Irrawaddy
The junta on Monday instructed Yangon express bus operators not to sell tickets to anyone holding citizenship identification cards indicating they reside in Rakhine State.
The manager of a Yangon-based tour company confirmed the travel ban on citizens from Rakhine.
Residents of other states also face restrictions on traveling out of Yangon. Bus operators are not allowed to sell tickets unless the buyer produces their citizenship ID, a travel-permission letter from authorities, or a letter from their employer outside Yangon, she added.
“They must bring their original citizenship IDs to buy tickets. They must also bring letters from their ward administrator and police station.” a bus ticket agent confirmed.
Many believe the restrictions have been imposed to prevent youngsters from evading conscription.
Enforced by the regime last month, the national conscription law allows the military to summon men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve for at least two years. The age limit for professionals such as doctors and engineers is extended to 45 for men and 35 for women.
“Yes, bus lines will not sell tickets for this,” confirmed a man brandishing his Rakhine State ID in Yangon.
“Maybe they fear punishment if junta troops spot us during checks along the road. How are we supposed to travel if a life-or-death situation comes up? This is the country we live in.”
A large number of Rakhine people are working in Yangon as job opportunities are scarce in the country’s second poorest state. Frontier reported in 2020 that 60,000 Rakhine migrants were working in the commercial capital. Many Rakhine people have also settled permanently in Yangon, though their citizenship IDs may still show them registered as Rakhine residents.
Some were detained for interrogation and several remain in custody, it reported.
Two days after the enforcement of conscription on Feb. 10, the regime imposed travel restrictions on air travelers flying from Rakhine to Yangon. Residents are only allowed to fly to Yangon for healthcare or education with permission from their district administrators.