Junta extorting huge sums from Mawlamyine residents who fail to file “visitor’s report”

November 24, 2023

HURFOM: On November 16, 2023, the Southeast Military Command based near Ya Khine Gone village, Mawlamyine Township, Mon State was attacked. In response, the military junta tightened security in Mawlamyine and began to carry out stop and checks throughout the city including downtown wards.

The junta has focused on residents completing “visitor’s reports”. A joint team of soldiers and police now enter homes to check for visitors. Any household that has failed to file a “visitor’s report”, is then extorted for as much as 500,000 MMK.

“Military trucks and police vehicles which were full with troops came to the houses they were suspicious of and carried out these visitor checks. If they found someone had not filed a “visitor’s report”, they immediately arrested him/her. Even if you have been in this ward for a long time, you’ll be arrested if your household list had a different address. When they found a stranger, they arrested him/her without any interrogation,” said a Mawlamyine resident who wants to remain anonymous.

The residents reported to HURFOM that soldiers and police demanded a ransom in exchange for the release of those arrested.

The military junta is also patrolling the city at night and ward Administrators have also tightened security.

“They stopped a motorbike and opened and checked the tool box. They asked “Where are you coming from?” “Where do you go?”. Even though we’ve just gone around in the city, they’ve asked our exact destination. Military trucks and police vehicles come to the Administrator’s office every night and they leave the office with lots of troops and security forces,” said another Mawlamyine resident.

The tightened security, arbitrary arrests and extortion, are leading Mawlamyine residents to remain indoors, particularly at night.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News