Local Burmese military authorities in Arakan State have been conducting military training for its thugs, including members of the USDA, Fire Service, Swan Arr Shin, and people’s militias, with the intent of using the forces to aid their victory in the referendum, said one villager who participated in the training but refused to be named.

He said, “I was attending the military training in the remote jungle along with 30 other people near Kyauk Nga Nwar Village in Mraybon Township last month, and the training was by the Burmese army.”

Mraybon Township is located in Kyauk Pru District in central Arakan State and many village tracts in the township are being held by the military.

“We have to learn how to use small arms in battle and army trainers taught us how to set up and how to set off the arms. But the army trainers did not tell us why we were summoned to attend the military training. They told us that people are to be united to wipe out the foes of the union of Burma,” he said.

Village chairmen in respective villages in Mraybon Township have mobilized the military training with some villagers who are members of the USDA, Fire Service, Swan Arr Shin and people’s militias, on the order of the high authority.

In Arakan State, there was no military training of these organizations in the past. Because of this, people in Arakan State believe the military training is related to the upcoming referendum.

The villager said, “I am sure the training is for the referendum. The forces will be used to mobilize people to cast “yes” votes for the constitution. It is confirmed that the trainings are to be held closer to the time of the referendum.”

An analyst in Sittwe said, “I heard there are two major particulars for the military training by the authority of Arakan State. First is to show the strength of government supporters to the people, and second is to threaten people to vote “yes” in the referendum.”

“The military government received an excellent lesson about elections in 1990, so they are preparing to avoid failure in the referendum this time,” the analyst added.

The Mraybon Township authority is still conducting the military trainings in many village tracts in the township, including Kyar Inn Daung, Yaw Salin, Yoke Koon, Chaung Gri, Ka Bai Chaung and May Lawn, said the villager