Junta forces have been arresting people and conducting searches in some neighbourhoods in Tanantharyi's Myeik Town over the last few days, according to local residents.

In recent days in Myeik a junta-appointed administrator was shot and a grenade was fired into a guardhouse manned by junta soldiers outside a fire station.

Following these attacks, the junta patrolled in cars and arrested random people, according to locals.

A resident of Myeik's Kangyi Ward said, "My brother and I were riding a motorcycle to work when we were surrounded by people in plainclothes and police. They tried to seize our motorcycle but we gave them 50,000 kyats to let us keep it. They asked for our exact address and phone number. They threatened to arrest me.”

Another local resident said: "[Junta forces] have been checking and arresting people in recent days. Not just [people on] motorcycles, but also cars are being searched by junta troops."

Locals also said that the junta forces were extorting 50,000 kyats from the occupants of the cars they stop and 20,000 to 50,000 kyats from the motorcycle riders they stop.

As well as stopping and searching vehicles the junta is arresting some drivers and has arrested other people according to Myeik locals.