Mawlamyine, Juen (25)
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing warned the troops not to collect money at the gates along the road used for transporting goods, but extortion have worsened, travelers and traders told Than Lwin Times.
The military chief said at a meeting on increasing the production of basic goods held on June 12 in Nay Pyi Taw that the high prices of commodities are the result of excessive charges at the gates along the road, and that authorities from the states and regions should take serious action.
“The junta troops are collecting more money than before, delaying the trip, and beating travelers who do not pay. We pay at least 1000-5000 Kyats each gate, and lengthy inspections cause delays in the flow of commodities,” a driver said.
A person working in freight transport said, “We have already paid tax for the vehicles and goods, but we have to pay hundreds of thousands of kyats at the gates along the route. Sometimes they ask for 10,000–30,000 kyats per gate”.
Due to the extortion by regime forces at the checkpoints, the merchants added gate fees to the goods and sold them at high prices, affecting the people.
On the other hand, most of the owners of freight transport vehicles are finding it difficult to survive due to the shortage of goods, rising fuel prices, and paying money at checkpoints, and some have stopped running their businesses.
After the military coup, the military council expanded the gates along Union Road with security measures, and travelers had to pay money at every gate and face difficulties.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-CJ
Thanlwintimes