One year later: Crime activity rises, community trust with police and security forces declines

February 2, 2022

HURFOM: It has been one year since the military coup took place. In the time period there has been marked increase in criminal activity. Community members say the authorities show no interest in responding to criminal cases, unless they can profit from it.

Victims of crime are reporting cases to their Village General Administration Departments (GAD) and the police but the military junta does not appear to care or take action in support of the victims .

A community member whose family was subjected to repeated violent attacks said, “After my mother was attacked with a knife, the police came to my house once or twice and all they did was to put a warrant on the attacker’s house. The attacker’s family is staying peacefully at their home. The attacker also shot my father before. But he wasn’t arrested by the police. Now, he has attacked my mother again. It happened three months ago but there is no investigation or arrest.”

Because the attacker remains free of any consequence, the victim and family members fear the possibility of another attack.

Robberies are also commonplace now across Mon State, with the authorities showing little interest to investigate or file charges.

One victim of a robbery reported that, “After the coup, my motorcycle was stolen. I did not bother to report this to the police. Instead, I shared it on social media and requested help from my community. I searched for it by myself. People don’t want to connect with the military junta so they don’t do any report to the police, they just stay silent.”

In another case a woman who was violently attacked went to the police station to file a report. The police said she had to pay them in order for a legal case to be filed. Community members have reported that police officials and the Village Administrator had accepted a bribe from the abuser to prevent the case from being investigated.

Since the coup, communities increasingly believe the rule of law has failed. Now security forces are focused on oppressing the people rather than providing them protection. As a result community trust is being eroded.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News