Residents of Natthankwin in Nyaunglebin District, Bago Region, have to pay tolls at military checkpoints to transport farm equipment to harvest rice on their farms, residents said.
The military council has further tightened security at the entrances and exits of Natthankwin. Now, some residents who need to transport equipment for rice harvesting have to inform the junta’s checkpoints and pay fees to pass through, a resident said.
“Of course, they are residents of Natthankwin who have rice fields near their villages. They have to inform the military council soldiers before harvesting rice. They have to inform the military council soldiers and their checkpoints because the machines are noisy. They ask for a certain amount of money for this. The residents here even have to pay them money for funeral processions,” he told KIC.
Locals report that the military council imposed these strict checks and extortion after the clashes near Natthankwin in June this year.
Farmers in Natthankwin Township, who mainly grow rice, beans and vegetables, are facing difficulties in farming after the conflict due to the rising cost of fertilizer and fuel. In addition, they now have to meet monetary demands, residents said.
“Right now, we have to pay them just to get around. We also have to pay them to transport farming machinery between places. Only then do they allow people to continue their work. Residents even have to pay them a small amount to transport normal goods,” said another resident.
Residents also said that continued displacement due to the fighting makes it difficult for them to properly manage their farms, leading to economic hardship and unstable livelihoods.
The military continues to conduct household registrations and phone checks in the town and detain those it deems ‘suspicious,” including casual shoppers from other locations. According to the Karen National Union (KNU), at least 10 people have been arrested so far.
A villager from Lelwainggyi village was also arrested on suspicion while visiting Natthankwin market on 10 October, but whether he has been released is unconfirmed.
Sent by KIC.