Although the ceasefire between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) is nearing three months, the regime soldiers are still extorting money from travelers at checkpoints on both land and water routes, angering the local population.
Checkpoints where the junta reportedly demands money from travelers include the Kan Myint Kan and Pe Padon checkpoints in Ann Township and the Amyint Kyun maritime checkpoint in Sittwe Township, according to locals.
At the Kan Myint Kan checkpoint in Ann Township, officials from various government departments inspect travelers and demand money from passenger buses and trucks depending on the type of goods, locals report.
“It’s like they collect taxes from passengers and trucks and they have to pay as much as they ask, he said. The Kan Myint Kan checkpoint on the way out to the mainland is particularly notorious for this. If you don’t pay as much as they charge, the time at the checkpoint becomes extra long. They charge as much as they can,” says an Ann resident.
Also at the Pe Padon checkpoint, regime soldiers inspect vehicles coming from Yangon and Mandalay or leaving for the mainland and demand money from them.
One traveler said, “The Kan Myint Kan and Pe Padon checkpoints are particularly notorious. As for the passenger buses, they ask all the people to get off and extort money from them. Those who refuse to pay aren’t allowed back on the bus, but remain standing outside. Some aren’t allowed back on until the bus is ready to leave.”
In addition, trucks are also charged at the junta checkpoints, and those transporting goods with a letter of recommendation from the Minister of Security and Border Affairs must also pay for faster passage, he said.
Currently, local owners of motorboats are also being extorted by the regime soldiers along the waterways.
Military council soldiers stationed at Amyint Kyun Police Station near Min Chaung Bridge are reportedly checking boat passengers and their goods and extorting money from them.
A motorboat owner said, “When we go from Ponnagyun to Rathedaung to load goods, they ask us to stop and check our boats. They ask for money as tax. They won’t let people go if they refuse to pay. We have to pay as much as they ask. They even open and check the goods on board.”
Similarly, boat owners are asked to record the name, NRC number and father’s name of passengers on the Yay Chan Pyin-Angumaw route and hand over to them.
Locals say the military council has continued to harass the people of Arakan during the peacetime after the ceasefire, causing psychological damage.
Despite the ceasefire between the military council and the ethnic army, the junta continues to impose strict controls on the shipment of goods, medical products and other controlled items, according to locals.
Narinjara News called Arakan States Minister of Security and Border Affairs, Colonel Kyaw Thura, but he couldn’t be reached.
Sent by Narinjara News.
