Yar Rujin, Aug 13, Lashio
The junta’s township police chief Nyo Win is charging between 100,000 500,000 kyats for criminal clearance certificates in Lashio, the capital of northern Shan Sate, according to the residents who were forced to pay.
The township’s police chief is not the only one charging high prices for these certificates. Residents also have to pay a separate total of 100,000 kyats to other officials and clerks for document and stationery fees.
“Many residents need the criminal clearance certificate because they have lost their ID and household registration cards and must reapply for them,” said a resident who paid the police.
“The departments require these certificates from the police and ward administrators as part of this process. If you have these certificates, you can live a bit better and safer in town.”
However, another source in Lashio explained that it is not only the police charging high fees from the public. Officials from other departments are also demanding hundreds of thousands of kyats to process applications for ID cards, household registrations, driving licenses, and other documents.
“We are required to apply for these certificates, and charging so much money for them is not convenient for us. People cannot earn that much money these days, and since the officials receive incomes from the regime, they should have some sympathy for the public and charge only tens of thousands of kyats,” a resident said.
Meanwhile, starting August 12, the junta’s military has restricted all cargo trucks from crossing through Lashio.
Junta military and police forces have also been charging hundreds of thousands of kyats from cargo truck drivers at the AT Bridge on the road between Lashio and Hsenwi.
After a ceasefire agreement was reached with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), with China’s mediation, MNDAA forces withdrew from Lashio on April 21.
Since the junta regained control of the city on April 22, at least 35 cases of robbery, theft, and stabbings have been reported.
Translated by #KLT
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