Junta seizes vehicles, demands ransom in Hpa-An
June 5, 2023
HURFOM: The military junta is using the pretext of security concerns to stop and inspect vehicles in Hpa-An township, Karen state. Some of the vehicles are being seized and ransomed for large amounts of money.
Various administrative arms of the junta’s council, such as the police, General Administrative Department (GAD), and the junta-backed Border Guard Force (BGF), are involved in the stop, search and seizures.
Most of the vehicles seized are private vehicles that have licenses, permitting full driving privileges. The drivers are stopped & frisked and typically these vehicles are then ransomed for hundreds of thousands of Kyat.
According to critics, the ransoming for cash action is being sanctioned by the junta as policy to promote self-reliance for its members.
“According to the information received from the GAD of the junta council, the security forces in this area have been allowed to act in ways that promote their self-sufficiency. As there are also a lot of unlicensed cars in this area, it has been a money pit for them for a long time. Now, even a car with a license is being asked to pay 200,000 to 300,000 MMK. They are using groundless accusations and speculations claiming drivers are connected with the Civil Disobedience Movement and/or provide the PDF with support,” explained a 40-year-old resident of Hpa-An.
Since the beginning of May, junta troops have occupied the streets and neighborhoods of the city. A Hpa-An resident remarked that in addition to unlicensed vehicles, licensed vehicles are being stopped and their drivers arrested. Vehicles are being returned to the owners by paying money at specific offices.
“At the intersection of Kaw Kyaik road, on Nyaung Lon highway, they arrested 3 people from Nyaung Lon village in front of Sri Pha An hotel. When they see young people with full licenses, they keep making unfounded accusations that they are supporting the PDF, ” said a tricycle driver who shared his experience of being fined 30,000 kyats on May 26.
As a result of such arrests, those who have to earn a living as a sidecar driver are experiencing more hardships. Residents who depend on these vehicles now face more transportation difficulties.
“Between May 27th and 30th, the junta military arrested drivers at Nar Yee Tower intersections. More than 30 vehicles were seized. Many drivers were forced to pay ransoms of between 30,000 to 300,000 kyat,” said one witness.
A victim told HURFOM, “There is a lot of exploitation and gouging of the people by the departments under the junta council in Hpa-An. For instance, the passport office of the immigration department and all the departments that provide public services are doing it. The chief of police and their armed partners are increasingly mocking the local community for the sake of security, and they take a huge amount of money every day.“
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