September 24th, 2021
The military council has ordered some private banks in Hpakant Township despite the internet shutdown, according to the persons close to the banks.
“As far as I know the military council provides the banks with wifi internet with code numbers,” said a local.
Since August 20th, Hpakant Township has faced an internet shutdown. Two weeks after the internet shutdown, the KanBawZa Bank and the AYA Bank are providing banking services with the military’s wifi internet access, the local added.
The people face difficulty in the withdrawal of money although they have easy access to the remittance services.
“The banks allow the withdrawal of money every Thursday before. But the maximum amount for cash withdrawal is less than one million. The banks don’t allow the withdrawal of huge amounts of money. The deposits are not limited,” a local said.
The people withdrew less than Ks-10 million from the banks in a week before the coup. After the coup, the people withdrew less than Ks-2 million in a week. Since the internet shutdown on August 20th, the people can withdraw less than Ks-one million only, according to locals.
Small remittance services have declined significantly due to internet problems.
“Due to the internet cut-off, the people face many difficulties. We have to pay a service fee of Ks-3,000 for the remittance of Ks-100,000 via Wave Money. At the same time, we have to pay Ks-3,000 for the withdrawal of Ks-100,000,” the local added
It has been over a month since the mobile internet and wifi internet access was cut off in Hpakant Township. Some places in the township still have access to fiber connection and IPSTAR internet.
Hpakant becomes the first township which faces internet shutdown in Kachin State since the military coup.
Sent by the KNG.
