The junta’s village administrators _ in Thandwe Township in Southern Rakhine State are demanding at least 50,000 kyats per household under the pretext of conscription, according to local residents.
The village administrators are choosing five civilians from each village in Thandwe Township for forced military service and are demanding money from local people who are concerned about being chosen.
“Village administrators choose five people in each village. They said they would draw lots, but they didn’t. I don’t know whether they have chosen or not, but they said people must pay 50,000 kyats per household,” said a local who does not want to be named.
According to a person close to the village administration, the junta’s village administrators are extorting money like this without the local junta troops knowing.
“The junta Division-55 is still on this side. Now, the village administrators are demanding money according to their areas, not the military demanding it,” he said.
Local people are in a difficult situation due to the demand for unpaid money and roads are blocked due to the war.
“I can’t help to pay the money demanded. I have no money. If I can’t give it, they will call people for forced military service. I don’t know how I can do it,” said a local woman who asked not to reveal the name of the village for security reasons.
While the military junta is losing the war in northern Rakhine State and preparing for defense not to abandon Sittwe City, the capital of the Rakhine State, their village administrators are extorting money from the local people in southern Rakhine State.