JAKARTA - The Myanmar military regime has imposed new restrictions on motorbikes in certain cities in the regions of Yangon, Tanintharyi, Sagaing and Mandalay.
The new restrictions are widely seen as an attempt to limit the movement of civil resistance fighters, who sometimes use motorbikes to carry out shooting and bombing attacks against military regime forces.
Under the new rules, two men are now prohibited from riding a motorcycle together. A man sitting in the back seat with a female driver is also not allowed. Meanwhile in some townships, all motorcycles, as well as tricycles, have been banned on the roads.
Cities targeted by the motorcycle ban include Thanlyin and Hlaing Tharyar in Yangon Region, Dawei and Myeik in Tanintharyi Region, Monywa in Sagaing and Kyaukpadaung Region, Taung Tha, Meiktila, Mahlaing, Wundwin and Thazi cities in Mandalay Region.
On October 25, the local People's Defense Forces (PDF) in Meiktila used motorbikes to attack a Myanmar military regime patrol with bombs. PDF claims two policemen were killed and at least five others injured in the attack.
"The restrictions were introduced on Tuesday. The junta troops threatened to open fire if they saw two men riding motorbikes together," said a resident of Meiktila who asked not to be named, quoted by The Irrawaddy, November 17.
Meanwhile, according to Myanmar Now, men and women can ride a motorbike with the man who is the driver. The ban also reportedly does not apply, if one or more of the men are elderly.
In a video shared online on Sunday, an official driving a truck with a loudspeaker alerts residents in Meiktila Township, Mandalay Region, the rule will be in place from Tuesday, when violators' bicycles will be confiscated.
The consequences of breaking the rules will be even more severe on Thursday, he added: "We want to warn after November 18, anyone who violates these rules will be shot and arrested."
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Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun could not be reached for comment. In fact, the new rules will make it difficult for civilians who depend on motorbikes to get around and for their livelihood, said a resident of Meiktila.
"Police and soldiers can ride motorbikes any way they want. I've even seen three policemen ride one motorbike. It's not fair if they make rules like that for us civilians," he said.
"Ojek taxi drivers and people from villages who come to the city to shop will suffer the most," he continued.
"They don't even consider the welfare of the people anymore. They just do whatever they like," said one man from Taungthar.
To note, anti-junta resistance fighters, sometimes riding motorbikes, have carried out hundreds of attacks in urban areas in recent months, killing local administrators, military informants, police, and soldiers and detonating explosives at government offices.
Regarding the Myanmar Coup. VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continue to fall. You can follow the news about the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.
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