Residents extorted by armed group
An unknown armed group is forcing residents of a Three Pagoda Pass town, Kyain Seikygi Township to pay taxes.
Residents say armed group demanded taxes or cash payments from business owners and rich people at Three Pagoda Pass Town. The group approached the residents by letter, phone or face-to-face.
A businessman (who asked not to be named for fears for security) explained to Karen News how the group operates.
“They demanded various sums to be paid in Thai baht from local business people – a hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, ten thousand or twenty thousand. The Burma Army operating here doesn’t arrest them or cannot protect us from them. Rubber plantation workers are afraid to go to work, the situation is chaotic.”
Residents say the armed group kidnapped 10 rubber plantation owners and demanded money for their release.
A village militia guard confirmed one of the kidnapping cases happened on November 22nd after fighting he was involved in fighting with three members of the armed group.
“Two workers were kidnapped on the evening of the 22nd. We went to their place on the 23rd and shooting broke out and the two workers were able to try escape during the fighting.
Residents from Three Pagoda Pass town allege the unknown arm group belongs to one of the Mon militia’s operating in the area. One man not scared to go on the record and name the groups is Naing Han Tha, secretary general, of the New Mon State Party who explained to Karen News.
“Yes, we believe they are founded by one of our former officers who used to command a military unit, his name is Khing Maung Oo. We refer to them as Colonel Shaung’s group. They demand money frequently in Three Pagoda Pass region. They demand for money but don’t have any political philosophy or policy. They only have three or four members and some Mon and Karen villagers.”
A section leader of Three Pagoda Pass Town told Karen News that the kidnapping cases are difficult to solve by Burma Army or authorities unless people name members of the gang.
Similar kidnapping cases and extortion cases happened two or three months ago, residents hoped that they had disappeared, but recent evidence and residents testimony suggests otherwise.
The Burma Army, and Mon and Karen ceasefire groups active in the Three Pagoda Pass area said they had experienced cases of anonymous shootings and heard from villagers that they had threats and demands for money to be paid. So far, no group has been arrested.
