A group of people’s militia has demanded Ks 5 million as ‘human tax’ from the residents of Mong Kyat Group under Lashio Township in the northern Shan State.
A local administrator from Man Pan People’s Militia demanded 13 villages under Mong Kyat Group, which is located over 50 miles east of Lashio, to pay the tax by January 23, according to Mong Kyat residents.
“Sai Tun, who has the rank of an administrator, and his crew has been extorting money and giving various kinds of pressures to the public. They demanded Ks 5 million. We have to give the money on the 7th waxing day of Tabodwe, which is January 23,” a local woman around the age of 40 told the Shan Herald on condition of anonymity.
This people’s militia has been cooperating with the Tatmadaw’s 368th Light Infantry Battalion.
“We have to pay the taxes one after another every year despite having difficulties in earning a living. They are cooperating with the Tatmadaw so we couldn’t plead with them. We have to give them everything they demanded. This causes many difficulties for the public. I want to urge the authorities and MPs to assist us and plead on our behalf,” said Lone Sai.
According to local residents, the people’s militia is based in Man Pan and it is led by Bo Moon.
Lashio District Hluttaw MP Sai Wan Leng Kham called on the leaders of the people’s militia to investigate such kind of threats made against the public by its subordinates.
Sai Wan Leng Khem and MP group met with Mong Kyat residents on January 13.
