Additionally, villages close to government military installations have to put up with a lot of demands for labour, such as clearing fields, building and guarding roads and so on. Villages are also ordered to supply runners for the military. People going to do work must take their own food and tools. They get no financial recompense. If people do not turn up and the numbers are not sufficient then the consequences are borne by village heads.
Some villages prefer to give money rather than go.
When soldiers desert, nearby villages are also required to compensate the army for the disappeared troops and weapons. Other demands include orders for timber and building supplies, and for food and livestock. The government only began collecting a paddy quota in this area during this year. The government agents compensate villagers 350 Kyat per paddy quota basket, but the local market rate is 800 Kyat per basket. When villagers take paddy to the purchasing centre it is weighed.