Dec 24, 2007 (DVB), Ward Peace and Development Council officials have been forcing women who go to their office to register guests to buy an application form for the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation.

A local resident said that Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Chairperson Ma San and Union Solidarity and Development Association member Pu Pu in Hlaing Tharyar township were making the demands.

They have reportedly been refusing to allow women to register overnight visitors, as required by the authorities, unless they pay 200 kyat for an MWAF application form, said a local resident.

"They are not handing out the guest registration papers if you don't buy this form, so you can't register your guests unless you buy this application form to join MWAF," said the resident.

The local resident said that he has complained about the demands to the township PDC.

Reporting by Aye Nai