Extortion accompanies junta's latest Sittwe Twsp checkpoints: local Muslims

By Admin 12 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
12 September 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime has reportedly set up more security checkpoints in Sittwe Township and is extorting money from passersby.

The junta set up two more security checkpoints in Bumay and Thelchaung villages and has tightened security checks on Muslims there.

"Previously, we were not being checked by junta soldiers. Junta soldiers now conduct checks on us as to whether we have recommendation letters signed by the village administrators," said a motorcycle taxi driver from Bumay Village.

Junta soldiers from four security checkpoints in the two villages extort K2,000 from each motorcyclist, K10,000 from each three-wheeled motorcycle taxi and K5,000 from each sidecar, according to Muslim villagers.

"I earn K50,000 working as a motorbike taxi driver daily. I have to pay K20,000 to junta soldiers at security checkpoints and spend K20,000 to buy gasoline. How can I manage to meet my family's needs with K10,000 amid skyrocketing commodity prices?" said a Muslim man from Thelchaung Village.

Faced with a lack of jobs and soaring prices for most goods, locals are struggling to make ends meet as extortion now factors into their budgets.

Meanwhile, security concerns are only growing.

"The city of Sittwe is now like a prison. The regime has planted landmines and naval mines in and around the Arakan State capital and built a fence. We have no place to flee. We can't flee to Yangon as we don't have ID cards. We will be killed if fighting breaks out in Sittwe," said a young Muslim man.

The regime stands accused of using Muslims for political and military purposes in Arakan State, where conflict between the junta and Arakkha Army (AA) rages on amid significant territorial gains by the AA in recent months.

The regime is forcing Muslims to serve in the military, and has orchestrated protests aimed at stoking tensions between the Arakanese and Muslim communities in Arakan State.