make it appear as though Burma was on its way to democratization. Hence the 1990 general elections were planned. Although the elections themselves were viewed by the global community as being free and fair, the military-backed SLORC took multiple measures to prevent democracy from thriving and ensure its entrenchment in Burmese politics. A focal point of the SLORC regime during its early years was a strategic redesign of Rangoon’s cityscape, primarily moving the undesired segments of the population from the city center to its periphery and shutting down locations that were linked to earlier nationalist movements: Regime-instigated evictions and forced relocations after 1988 included not only squatters and slum dwellers but also middle-class families. . . . Neighbourhoods where residents had sheltered or aided demonstrators seem to have been singled out for redevelopment, such as the area near the Myeinigone Market, site of the 21 June incident, where old dwellings were pulled down and replaced by shops and multi-storied apartment blocks. (Seekins, 2005, p. 265) This is just one example of the ways in which the military-state implemented a redesign policy in order to effectively secure their control over nation. Ten new townships were developed along the periphery of the city in an attempt to confine those who were forcibly removed from the downtown area. It is critical to note that the civilians who were forced to relocate were not targeted due to their religion or ethnicity, but rather because the location in which they once lived was important for specific military-state projects. This tactic did not originate with the SLORC but came from the Caretaker Government era when as many as 170,000 people were moved to the new towns of North Okkalapa, South Okkalapa and Thaketa (Bansal & Fox, 2016). The new townships 33