Southern Ye villagers extorted by unknown armed group

August 21, 2021

Two months ago, an unknown armed group entered villages in Southern Ye Township, Mon State. In one case reported to HURFOM, involved group members going to the Village Administration department and demanding a list of all the households in the community.

HURFOM was informed that an armed group entered villages in Southern Ye on August 14, 2021, and extorted villagers. The group included nine people who wore full military uniforms and carried weapons. They entered the village by car and met with the Village Administrator.

The armed group also demanded money from villagers who work on plantations in the area. This was done by giving the plantation workers a document with instructions on how much and where they were to pay.

“Those who received the paper had to go to a specific place described in the note and pay the money. Most villagers had to pay the money at a plantation outside the village. Some villagers have paid the money, but not all. Last week, they entered the village again and demanded money from those who haven’t paid yet,” said a villager.

The group also ordered the Administrator to announce that those who have not paid the money demanded, must come to a Mon national school and pay the money.

“I had to pay 250,000 Kyat. Those who didn’t have the money were in trouble. They had to borrow the money from the others,” said another villager.

Depending on the amount of their income, the villagers had to pay between 80,000 to 300,000 Kyat. Households that did not have the money were told to pay half and the other half would be paid later.

“Our household had to pay 240,000 Kyat but I did not have that amount. I only paid 150,000 Kyat. They recorded that I had 90,000 Kyat left to pay them. We all have a tough life now, so no one wants to give away their cash. But, if we don’t pay them, we’re afraid that they will endanger us. After paying the money, we believe we can return to work at our plantation without any fear,” said a villager.

The armed group has not physically harmed any villagers, but those who have not paid the extortion demands have been feeling unsafe when going to their plantations.

According to reports collected by HURFOM, villages that endured this type of extortion include Kyone Nyae, Mi Htaw Hlar Gyi, Mi Htaw Hlar Nage, Outside/Inside Da Ni Kyar and Ma Gyi villages, all are located in Southern Ye Township, Mon State.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News