Some employees of the Department of Immigration and Population in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, are unduly demanding money from those who apply for household certificates and National Registration Cards (NRCs), according to locals.

“When I applied for the household certificate, I paid K20,000 to an employee from the Department of Immigration and Population and K10,000 to the village-tract clerk. It cost K30,000 when applying for a household certificate,” said one Kyauktaw resident.

He said that while the Ministry of Immigration and Population is issuing household certificates and NRCs to people through the Pan Khin project, he wants authorities to investigate corruption in rural areas.

Ko Zaw Win, a resident of Kyauktaw Township, said that although the Ministry of Immigration and Population was issuing household certificates and NRCs to the public free of charge, local people wanted the matter resolved as soon as possible due to staff demands on the ground.

“There are two governments in Arakan State. Taking advantage of the weak rule of law, some employees are corrupt. Such incidents should be addressed by the relevant authorities as soon as possible,” he added.

Staff will be closely monitored for whether or not they demand money from the public and will be investigated to find out the truth, U Phone Naing, a staff officer of the township Immigration and Population Department, told DMG.

“This incident will be investigated and action will be taken against corrupt staff,” the immigration officer added.