Yar Rujin, Jun 18, Lashio
With rampant theft ongoing in junta-controlled Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State, residents have been forced to ensure their own security and on Tuesday, they successfully apprehended a motorcycle thief in the city.
On the evening of June 17, residents of Ward 3 in Lashio collectively apprehended a man attempting to steal a motorcycle near a barbecue shop. He was unsuccessful in his theft.
“The thief was arrested near the barbecue shop, which was very crowded. He broke the lock of a motorcycle parked nearby. He had already stolen another motorcycle previously, but he was caught while trying to steal this one,” said a resident.
He added that the people around that area saw him and worked together to arrest him.
“We haven’t sent him to the police yet; we told him to contact the other thieves who took the first motorcycle and tell them to return the one they stole,” the resident said.
With junta troops and police failing to provide adequate security, and instead focusing on extorting money from vehicles and conducting superficial security activities, Lashio citizens have resorted to managing their own safety.
Also on May 12, residents arrested one of three men attempting to break into a house in Ward 1.
Since the junta’s military regained control of Lashio on April 22, at least 25 cases of robberies, stabbings, and banditry have occurred, according to figures recorded by Shwe Phee Myay. Residents report that in most of these incidents, particularly robberies, the criminals were armed.
Translated by #KLT
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