Kachin youths are being engaged by officials of the Kachin cultural museum in Myitkyina to participate at a function supporting the National Convention in Burma’s new jungle capital, Naypyitaw, sources said.

Museum officials, under the junta’s Ministry of Information and publicity have been ordered to gather at least 40 youths below the age of 30, to take part in the function, where other ethnic delegates will also attend.

A member of the Kachin Literature and Cultural Committee, who requested anonymity, said, “They are called to support the National Convention. Most youths don’t want to go. They will be made to approve the outcome of the convention. But this time it does not include the KIO’s (Kachin Independence Organization) stand. They have called only members of the public.”

A Museum official, among the delegates, told Mizzima that the group will leave on October 4 and will return on October 28. While the government will pay all the fares and take care of food and lodging, the delegates will have to abide by the instructions given to them.

“We will not be allowed to go anywhere or even come back until it is over. And we have to raise our hands in support of what ever they say,” she added.

Another woman participant also told Mizzima, “We have to represent our tribes. We are told that the function is a nation-wide cultural exchange, where other ethnic groups are also participating. From Kachin there are four persons each from the six tribes and from Shan State it’s the same for all the five tribes. We don’t know what is planned there”

Meanwhile, the northern military commander Ohn Myint has ordered a mass meeting to support the recently concluded national convention in Myitkyina on September 15, where one person from each household has to compulsorily participate. Those failing to attend will be severely punished, the order states.