Since March, the junta has been extensively campaigning for the people of
Shan State to support the junta drafted constitution in the upcoming
referendum in May, according to sources from Southern Shan State.

On 15 March, Kunhing based Area Operations Commander Tin Maung Swe and
Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council Ngwe Toe held a meeting
with village tract and quarter headmen at the Township Peace and
Development Council’s office.

In the meeting, they urged the headmen to teach people how to vote ‘Yes’
in the upcoming referendum.

Ngwe Toe said, “If there are more crosses than ticks, the democracy that
people are looking forward will not be achieved. Then, we will be forced
to return to the National Convention again and draft another constitution.
That’s why people have to support it.”

Again, on 2 April, Kyaw Swe , Chairman of Township Peace and Development
Council of Mongpiang, Eastern Shan State, summoned the village tract
headmen and provided referendum training to teach people to tick ” Yes” in
support of the junta drafted constitution.

He threatened, “Officials and people who are in the training must under to
train the people to support the constitution according to the methods that
we have taught you. People who oppose the constitution will go to prison
for 3 years with Kyat 100,000 (US $ 90) fine.”

Officials from 28 village tracts of Mongpiang Township attended the
training. The training was held for 3 days, according to a source.

After attending the training, the headmen were forced to hold referendum
workshops each in his own area.

Junta newspapers have called in bold headlines yesterday for the people to
give full support to the charter.