Military council troops stationed at Myit Thay Kyin bridge checkpoint in Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, are extorting money from pedestrians and travelers and firing shots indiscriminatley, locals reported.
One man from Banmauk was wounded by the indiscriminate firing of the regime soldiers, “It happened in the downtown area. They fired with a rifle because it was after 6 pm. One person was hit in the arm,” said a local resident.
He said the man was shot with a light weapon because he had left the house after 6 pm.
Similarly, regime soldiers at Myit Thay Kyin bridge checkpoint stop passers-by every day, check them, and forcefully demand money from them, local residents said.
“The other day, they took all the money a child from Pauknetkone village had brought to buy groceries. It was the end of the month, and they confiscated the money at Myint Thay Khin bridge near the entrace to Banmauk. They [the regime soliders] check peopel every day,” said a local woman.
On 2 February, the military council iimposed martial law on Banmauk Township on the grounds of effectively enforcing security, law and order, and peace.
Since the imposition of martial law, regime troops have fired light weapons, and occasionally heavy weapons every night, alarming local residents. Some residents said it has become difficult for them to go out on the streets after 6 pm.
In addition to the regime army, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), local People’s Defense Forces (PDF), Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), and Shanni militias are also active in Banmauk Township, creating tension in the area.
In addition to these situations, unruliness and human rights abuses by military council troops have raised concerns among Shanni and Kadu ethnic groups.
Sent by NMG.