Unknown groups are threatening the rich via the mobile phone and extorting money in Pinlong in the southern Shan State.
They target business persons, construction material shops and the rich via the mobile phone.
“The unknown groups threaten the people via a mobile phone. The so-called People’s Defense Force (PDF) asked for money to buy bullets via viber. They threaten to kill the victims like Daw Nyo if the victim fails to pay money. The unknown group extorted MMK-20 million from some people while some others have paid MMK-2 million,” a 40-year-old woman told the Shan News.
The so-called PDF are asking for money via mobile phones although Panglong has no PDF.
The northern alliance, Narraing People’s Militia Force, the Shan State Progressive Party/ Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) are active in that territory, a local from Panglong says.
“The people in Panglong face similar cases. Those who received threats don’t dare to reveal it. Nobody solves this problem. The groups which threaten the rich and extort money have not got arrested yet,” a local from Panglong says.
“Some rich people don’t dare to erect shop signboards. The unknown group phoned them via mobile numbers which appeared on signboards. Now four shop signboards were removed. Some shop owners have to change their mobile numbers and have to take shelter in other areas,” the local adds.
Locals in Panglong are living in fear and don’t dare to go outside at night.
On October 30, an unknown man abducted a female fuel station owner in Panglong. He asked for MMK-50 million. She was shot dead as he did not receive money.
Sent by the Shan News