Yangon, 5 October
The people of Myanmar suffer daily social hardships as a result of the latest military coup while striving to achieve the full essence of democracy.
Millions of people took to the streets to protest against the military coup led by General Min Aung Hlaing who seized power on the pretext of electoral fraud; some were imprisoned and tortured, and some were forced to flee their homes amid gunfire.
More than 19,600 people have remained in detention throughout the two and a half years after the coup, while 7,600 of them have received prison terms, according to the data of the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP).
The socioeconomic situation has deteriorated due to political instability, and the grassroots population is facing the impact of the low value of Myanmar’s currency and high commodity prices.
A resident of Mawlamyine said, “Those who do not have jobs face a few difficulties. Such people line up to buy oil.”
A research group called ISP-Myanmar said on October 1 that people in 106 of the country’s 110 townships are struggling with high commodity costs and that they are also experiencing electricity shortages.
A lack of mental stability is the third-highest issue among the 92 townships surveyed, according to ISP-Myanmar, while joblessness and internet disruptions are the most frequent issues.
A young woman who is preparing to work abroad said of the difficulties she is facing due to the coup, “Due to this political situation, I had to change my career. Foreign companies have also left this country. Domestic companies are also not hiring. The salary is around 2 or 3 lakhs, which is not convenient for me. So I had to choose to go abroad.”
People in Yangon and the majority of the townships have a serious issue of mental and physical insecurity due to a weakening of the rule of law and the prevalence of theft and robberies.
A CDM school teacher told Than Lwin Times that even when she goes out for some reason, she feels insecure because she is afraid of being arrested.
According to the rule of law index of the World Justice Project (WJP), Myanmar ranked 110th out of 140 countries in 2019 but dropped to 132nd in 2022 after the military coup.
The military takeover has negatively impacted the nation in every sector. The situation is not as severe in the major cities and in the stable regions, but the populace is experiencing challenges in the resistance stronghold areas.
The junta checkpoint extorted money in the resistance stronghold of Sagaing, and the people were affected by the high price of goods, a local told Than Lwin Times.
The people will continue to face all kinds of social problems and crises on a daily basis until the dictatorship is overthrown directly or indirectly under the mechanism of this evil military dictatorship.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-World Bank
Thanlwintimes