Pro-military groups are organizing a rally to shore up support for the May referendum in the towns of Arakan. They also put up posters in public places where most town people gather today morning, said a local from Maruk-U close to the USDA.

The towns where the campaign is on are Minbya, Maruk-U, Ponagyun and Pauktaw Township in Arakan.

The pro-military groups are the Union Solidarity and Development Association members (USDA), the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC), the Fire Bridge and members of women's affairs and members of Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC), said a student in Pauktaw.

The pro-military groups are mobilizing their families and those of other people. There are more than 500 to 1,000 people in each town, said a TPDC member in Minbya.

The groups are going around the town and shouting slogans in favor of the May referendum asking people to support and cast the "Yes" vote. They are also deriding the National league for Democracy or NLD for opposing the May referendum, he added.

They have put up sign boards where the town people gather such as markets, bus stations, sea port and other areas.

Similarly on April 23, pro-military groups campaigned and put up posters in Akyab. Around 700 pro-military people from the UDSA, VPDC members, Fire Bridge personnel and members of the women's affairs and members of the TPDC, said a local in Akyab. ##