A People’s Militia Force (PMF) has been extorting travellers in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State.

“They demand money from every car that passes through the Wu Yang Gate,” says a local source. He explained that the Wu Yang PMF, which is under the Burma Army IB 58 in Waingmaw town, began forcing people entering the village with the same name to give them money this week after setting up the checkpoint earlier this month.

A Kachin Independence Army (KIA) officer, who asked that his name not be published, said they attacked the gate with a RPG in early November. Several months ago, the Kachin armed group also attacked IB 58 and its fought the military many times since the coup on 1 February.

Residents told KNG they’re angry about the checkpoint the Lisu PMF has set up at the entrance to the morning market. The group also helps the military by checking the household registry at night and has arrested some people.