The internally displaced people (IDPs) from Kukkolsu village in Pauk Township are reportedly forced to pay a monthly fee by the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias, threatening they will burn houses and kill family members of the IDPs that are left in the village.
According to Nway Oo Nyinaung Guerrilla Force, the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias are threatening and extorting money _ from displaced people in Pyu Saw Htee militia’s Kukkolsu village _ from at least 50,000 kyat to 200,000 kyat monthly.
“Most IDPs are threatened with their remaining houses. If they don’t pay money, they (Pyu Saw Htee) will destroy the house. Also, those IDPs are threatened with their parents and relatives who left in the village,” Comrade Tayza, in charge of the Nway Oo Nyinaung Guerrilla Force, told MPA.
Families are fleeing from Kukkolsu village to Pauk town, and those who are struggling with their living are unable to pay the monthly fee to the Pyu Saw Htee militia.
“Now the phone line is convenient, they (Pyu Saw Htee) ask for money on the phone line. If we don’t pay money to them and do not hold their phone calls, they torture our parents and relatives. So we pay the extorted money, scaring them,” said a displaced person who fled from Kukkolsu village.
Kukkolsu village has more than 370 houses and nearly 300 houses have fled to safety, and people are living in less than 100 houses in the village.
“Most displaced people who fled from this village are paying the extorted money to them. Some don’t pay because they can come out with the whole family from the village. I urge those known to pay, and those close to me, not to pay the money. The main thing is that the extorted payment to them like this makes them grow more,” Comrade Tayza continued.
It has reportedly been almost 6 months since they have paid the monthly fee, and the Pyu Saw Htee militias from Kukkolsu village have received more than 5 million kyats (50 lakhs) every month.
“The Pyu Saw Htee militias are taking advantage of the people’s fear. Even though they have received the extorted money, they can destroy these houses and beat the elderly now if they wish. They do whatever they want now,” said a resident of Zitaw village.
Zeitaw village is located between Kukkolsu village and Rebil village, and the whole village has been fleeing to the nearby villages for more than 4 months due to the frequent interference and shooting by the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias.
There are around 100 Pyu Saw Htee militias in Kukkolsu village and the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militias have been fully equipped with weapons by the junta military.