The Burmese regime, officially called the State Administration Council, has forced civilians to join a rally for the military in eastern Shan State.

According to a Mongton resident who didn’t attend, high-ranking officials asked village leaders to round up all villagers and then paid them 5,000 kyat ($3) for coming. The rally on Tuesday 26 October was attended by about 600 people, almost all of them Lahu.

”Most of the participants don’t understand the current political situation in our country,” said the male source. Family members of the armed forces were also present.

Other rallies in Shan State in support of the Tatmadaw were held in Lashio, Tang Yang and Loilam. Across Burma, pro-army demonstrations took place in Yangon, Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myitkyina, Byamo, Meikhtila and Mawlamyine.

As of 27 October, the regime has killed 1,218 people, according to the advocate group Association of Assistance Political Prisoners.