Armed groups extort money from rubber plantation workers in Thanbyuzayat

December 19, 2023

HURFOM: Local people have reported to HURFOM that armed groups active along the Thanbyuzayat – Ye Highway Road have been extorting money from rubber plantation workers.

According to the sources, each plantation worker had to pay 30,000 MMK.

“30,000 MMK per worker – They gave us a receipt saying we must show the receipt when another group checks us. I think it’s an annual fee,” said an extorted rubber plantation worker.

The Karen National Liberal Army (KNLA) and People Defense Force (PDF) are Joint together and moving around the Thanbutzayat- Ye main road and also Dawna Column, Ye Air Force (YAF), Ye Guerrilla Force (YGF), Ye Defense Force (YDF), All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF), Mon State Revolution Organization (MSRO), Mon State Revolution Force (MSRF)and Yae Blue group are active among Ye township

“We don’t know the exact name of the group,” said another plantation worker from Mudon Township.

The Thanbyuzayat – Ye Highway has been controlled by the revolutionary forces since October, 2023. They reinforced their presence in December and are known to check vehicles and extort money from plantation workers. Residents fear the potential for an armed clash.

“They told us to keep the receipt and to show it to other groups who come to check us. But we fear doing that. We kept the receipt at the plantation because we’ll be in trouble if Burmese army sees the receipt,” said one worker.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News