The military personnel and police forces have been extorting money from civilians while inspecting motorcycles and cars under the guise of security, the locals informed Than Lwin Times.

The security forces were checking cars and motorcycles to see if they were loaded with explosives , and extorting money.

The regime forces inspect the driver's license and the goods carried by the vehicles, as well as the number plates, helmets, and back mirrors for motorcycles, and threaten to demand at least 5,000 to tens of thousands of kyats for vehicles that do not meet the specifications.

Furthermore, the army and police officers have fined the vehicles but not given receipt, implying that they are only being used for their own benefit, according to the residents.

A motorcycle taxi driver said that due to the economic crisis and the soared fuel prices, he does not even have ten thousand kyats of income per day. The army and police under the military council are collecting money at the entry gates of the city and in crowded places.

The spokesman for the Mon State Council, U Aung Kyi Thein, said action will be taken if the public complains about the military and police asking for money.

At present, the military council has arrested and forced local residents and businessmen to pay money if they do not want to be charged after unjustly arresting them.

The Mon State regime's army, police, and departmental personnel have been engaging in bribes since the military coup, but the military council has not yet taken any action.