Mawlamyine, March (2)
The policemen in Mawlamyine, Mon State, are arresting young people arbitrarily at night, threatening them, and extorting money, the residents confirmed to Than Lwin Times.
Despite the fact that the curfew is in effect from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., police have been arresting young people on the streets and outside their homes since around 11:00 p.m.
One morning, after the police took the young people to the police station, they asked family members to pick them up with a ransom of around 100,000 Kyats to 200,000 Kyats per person.
The policemen threatened to re-arrest the youths and take action under terrorism laws if news about the ransom demands leaked.
The police released youths who could pay on bail, but continued to detain some youths who could not pay, said a source who was released.
According to local residents, members of the military council arrest five to ten youths a day during night patrols for security reasons.
After the military takeover, police began daily patrols in Mawlamyine and blocked and searched key areas.
The Assistance Association for the Political Parties (AAPP) reported on February 28 that up to 20,000 people had been wrongfully detained during the military takeover.
News-Than Lwin Times
Thanlwintimes