Residents of Pinlaung Township in Shan State’s Pa-O Self-Administered Zone are being extorted for military expenses, according to local sources.
All villages in the Phaya Phyu and Tikyit village tracts are currently being charged 20,000 kyats per household for June’s military expenses by joint forces of the military council and the Pa-O National Army (PNA), said locals.
A man from Nan Saung village said, “This is intended to provide support for the fighting happening in the eastern part of Pekon. They say the people must contribute to the expenses of the people’s militia. This time it’s just for the militia, but next time, it will be for the junta.”
Currently, the two village tracts include over 20 villages, and sources close to the administrative bodies say that approximately 40 million kyats will be collected from each village tract.
Locals say that in each village within the mentioned village tracts, relevant PNA administrators are going door to door, pressuring households to pay, and those unable to contribute are being socially ostracized by their communities.
A displaced person taking refuge in Sekhaung village said, “If you don’t contribute to the military expenses, the whole village shuns you. You won’t be invited to community events like funerals and festivals. If your house gets destroyed or damaged in the fighting, they won’t offer you any support either. People even borrow money to pay, even when they don’t have any.”
In previous months, military expense collections and conscription were carried out in all villages of Pinlaung Township. Households unable to comply were reportedly threatened, and vehicles were seized and used at the frontline.
In addition, locals report that according to the current on-ground situation in Pinlaung Township, Karenni people carrying 2/…. NRC are subject to heightened security checks.
Sent by NMG
