Military junta extorts fees from cargo trucks in Theebaw, about 10 unable to pay arrested

Photo – Myawaddy – Cargo trucks seen on the Myawaddy-Kawkareik road. (AFP) August 7 Mizzima. — In Theebaw Township, Kyaukme District, northern Shan State, military junta and police forces are collecting money from cargo motor vehicles at checkpoints, according to cargo truck drivers. If they are unable to pay, their vehicles and the goods on board are confiscated and handed over to the police, and the drivers and their assistants are arrested and detained. Approximately 10 people have been arrested and detained from July to the first week of August, and some who were able to pay money have been released after recovering their vehicles and some of their goods, it is known. “About 20 to 25 cargo trucks pass through per day. Checkpoints were opened after the route to Lashio was reopened. Drivers who cannot pay money, claiming they are transporting Chinese goods, are handed over to the police,” said one driver. There are about five checkpoints along the route where money is collected, and from 50,000 to 500,000 kyats are collected at each checkpoint, depending on the type of vehicle. It is known that 200,000 kyats are collected per 12-wheel truck and 150,000 kyats per 6-wheel truck at each checkpoint. In addition to these checkpoint fees, 2,500,000 kyats per 12-wheel truck and 1,500,000 kyats per 6-wheel truck are paid as strategic commander fees. “Major Myo Min at the Nama checkpoint, Sergeant Chit Min Ko at the Hlut-kyaik checkpoint, Lieutenant Nay Myo Htun at the school checkpoint, and Comrade Maung Htwe at the Kyauk Gu exit checkpoint are demanding money. We also have to pay Colonel Win Thura Aung as a strategic commander fee. Colonels Wai Phyo Thet and Thet Naing Oo are also among those demanding money. If we don't pay, we are handed over to the police,” a truck driver told Mizzima. It is known from the drivers that the military junta has opened checkpoints and is demanding money at the Pone-nya checkpoint near Pone-nya village, the Kaw-gyi checkpoint, the Nama checkpoint, the Hlut-kyaik checkpoint at the entrance to Namlan, the checkpoint near Kyu-taw school, and the Kyauk Gu exit checkpoint. They also said that they want justice for the drivers who are currently being detained. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo