Lway Lao Jar, Jun 16, Lashio
Junta military troops and police stationed inside the city and the junction to Namtu, near the entrance of Lashio, northern Shan State’s capital, are extorting hundreds of thousands of kyats from cargo truck drivers passing through the area, according to Lashio residents.
The junta’s military troops, which regained control of Lashio in late April, are extorting from 50,000 kyats to hundreds of thousands of kyats from trucks at the Lashio–Namtu junction, a resident told Shwe Phee Myay.
“Truck drivers are forced to pay a minimum of 50,000 kyats per vehicle to the joint junta military and traffic police forces. Those from Chinshwehaw Town must pay hundreds of thousands of kyats, while mid-weight vehicles are charged 10,000 kyats each,” he stated.
He added that further fees are also demanded at the AT Bridge, Yay Pu Gate, and other police and traffic checkpoints.
Another Lashio resident stated that junta military, police, and traffic police are also extorting money from all the vehicles claiming it is a fee for entering or moving around the city.
“They demand fees for passing through or driving within the city, extorting money from all vehicles. They also tend to extort in the evenings at a spot near the traffic police station,” he said.
With Chinese engagement, the junta’s military regained control of Lashio City starting April 22. Since then, at least 22 crimes, including robberies, banditry, and stabbings, have occurred to date.
Translated by #KLT
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