Local police ban beer sale in Mon state

January 29, 2008

Selling of beer has been prohibited by the local Burmese police in Kalawthut village, Mudon Township, Mon state, said residents. The step was taken after two beer shop owners were jailed last November for selling beer to students.

The police ordered shop owners not to sell beer. No reason was given for the ban on beer. The police just wanted money from the shop owners, said Mai Pai who was detained.

Another shop owner Nai Ka Lar said he was poor so he had to sell beer. Still the police tried to arrest him. If some one wants to buys beer the shop owners have to bring beer from elsewhere where they have hidden it.

They don’t store beer any more in ice boxes as they are worried about police checks, explained Aung Min a consumer in the village.

According to Aung Min, he can’t drink cold beer in the village. So, many youth have to go to other villages to drink chilled beer, he added.

Mi Pai and Nai Tun were detained for two weeks and they were threatened with prison terms for selling beer to students.

Mi Pai said that she did not sell beer to students. She sold beer to adults. She denied the police accusation and she said that the police just wanted to take money.

This was the first time in Kalawthut village that two people were arrested by the police for selling beer. Two people were forced to bribe the township police 400,000 kyat because they were threatened with prison terms.. The two opened small shops at home and sold some other goods.

Many shop owners in the village sell Thai canned beer. The owners are afraid of the police coming and checking their shops.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News