Myanmar: Army extorting hundreds of thousands of kyats from pilgrims in Minkun, relatives of military officials profiting from gambling in Nattaw

Yangon, June 17 In the Minkun region of Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, the terrorist military is extorting hundreds of thousands of kyats from pilgrims visiting pagodas at gunpoint, according to travelers who spoke to Yangon Khit Thit Media. It is known that the terrorist military and Pyu Saw Htee have been stationed in the Minkun region for years, and despite frequent clashes with revolutionary forces, the military has set up checkpoints and is collecting hundreds of thousands of kyats from travelers while allowing them to pass. It is understood that during the collection, they demand 100,000 kyats per car and resort to verbal abuse and threats with firearms against travelers who only offer tens of thousands of kyats, and do not allow passage if the demanded money is not paid. One traveler said, "We were going to Myatheintan from Minkun and had to pass through a checkpoint set up by military dogs and Pyu Saw Htee. They said this area is unstable and fighting could break out at any time. Then they openly demanded money for tea. When I offered 50,000 kyats, the military dog holding a gun said, 'You don't even have enough for tea money,' and cursed at me. So I had to give them 100,000 kyats." Furthermore, it is reported that in the pagodas of the Minkun region, family members of the military and Pyu Saw Htee are forcibly selling goods to travelers and demanding money. If travelers offer only a small amount of money, armed Pyu Saw Htee wearing military uniforms threaten them with guns and demand hundreds of thousands of kyats. Another traveler continued, "The vendors in the pagodas in Minkun are Pyu Saw Htee women who aggressively demand money. They kept insisting on taking photos, so even though I didn't want to, I was scared and had to take them. Behind Putogodhi, I offered 20,000 kyats as pocket money for a photo, but they refused it and brought two 'People's Militia' branded dogs holding guns, and said, 'Who allowed you to come here? Where are you from?