Large-scale gambling den involving officials under interim government opened in Naypyidaw

AYEYARWADDY TIMES September 12 NAYPYIDAW, UTTARATHIRI TOWNSHIP – A large-scale "Lay Kaung Jin" (four-corner gambling) den has been opened within the jurisdiction of the No. 5 Police Station, near the Wunna Theikdi Football Stadium and the intersection of Swa Road, involving some officials of the interim government, according to local residents. The gambling den is open from 12:00 PM to 4:00 AM and includes a bar, restaurant, and eateries inside, locals said. Although gambling dens previously existed in Pyinmana, Lewe, Pubbasiri, and Dakkshinathiri townships and complaints were filed, leading to crackdowns in May, no action has been taken against the current gambling den, locals stated. "These dens are operating quite openly. There are reports that some responsible officials from the No. 5 Police Station, the regional SRF (Special Intelligence Department) Motin, and the General Administration Department are involved," a non-CDM police officer told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. According to town residents, officials from the Naypyidaw No. 5 Police Station, the SRF Motin of Uttarathiri, military council officers, and General Administration Department employee Ko Myo Chit from Nga-cha-p village are receiving weekly "line fees" (protection money) from these gambling dens and providing protection. The gambling den was reportedly opened and is led by U Yan Naung (alias U Phoe Kular) and U Min Zaw (alias U Than Zaw) from Shwe Nanthar Ward in Uttarathiri, U Ko Myo from Nga-cha-p village, and U Kyaw Zeyya (alias Kyaw Gyi) from Wunna Theikdi Ward. Furthermore, major "Lay Kaung Jin" operators from other townships, including U Kyi Lwin, U Kyaw Thu, U Maung Zaw, U Aung Ko, U Shwe Dha, and U Thein Than Min, have been brought in to host large gambling sessions involving hundreds of millions of kyats. Despite reports and complaints regarding this matter, no action has been taken to date, and the gambling dens continue to operate with permission after collecting "line fees" from their owners, a local resident in Naypyidaw said. Currently, local residents have further reported the location of the gambling den, along with map references, to the Naypyidaw Regional Military Command and the relevant district police headquarters, it has been learned. The post Large-scale gambling den involving officials under interim government opened in Naypyidaw appeared first on Ayeyarwaddy Times.