The Junta has enforced stringent travel limitations on individuals holding national identification cards (NICs) specifically coded for Rakhine State ,with the code number (11/xxxxxx), according to locals.

The Junta has issued instructions to travel agencies, prohibiting the sale of tickets to NIC holders with numbers starting with 11/.

"We have received instructions stating that tickets cannot be sold to 11/ NIC holders. We have also been warned of consequences for non-compliance”, a travel service agent said.

She mentioned that the directive from the Junta was received recently, without any explanation provided for the prohibition on travel for holders of 11/ NICs. This indicates that 11/ NIC holders are now prohibited from traveling, not only within Rakhine State, but also to other regions of the country.

Prior to the issuance of the directive, 11/ NIC holders had already been subjected to rigorous and extensive checks at checkpoints.

"I tried to buy a ticket to return to my hometown for Thingyan, but they told me they could not sell me one. Before this, I was rigorously checked during a trip, because of my NIC. Now, I am stuck in a situation where I cannot go home or anywhere else”, a young person from Rakhine State who currently lives in Yangon for work, said.

Individuals who hold non-11/ NICs maintain the liberty to travel throughout the country, including Rakhine State, however, they must obtain a certificate from the relevant authorities in advance to purchase car tickets.

Fighting between the Junta and the Arakan Army (AA) rages on in Rakhine State, with AA seizing at least 9 towns.