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Burma Army shuts down taxation checkpoints

The Burma government has ordered checkpoints staffed by soldiers from the Burma Army and rogue elements from the Karen National Liberation Army to be closed down. Villagers in the area told Karen News that the checkpoints at Bawti, Iwai, Wartaw and Sin Phyu Tai were extorting ‘taxes’ from travelers in Myitta Sub Township, Tavoy, in the Tenasserim Division Sin Phyu Tai village tract were closed down last week.

A local villager (who requested his named not be used for security reasons) said the forced checkpoint closure happened after Karen News reported about the tax extortion racket.

“They [government] have withdrawn the tax gates. Government officials together with the police arrived at the gates four days after the story was reported in Karen News. Now there are no more tax gates.”

Villager said that huts used by the Burma Army at the checkpoint were burnt to the ground the soldiers left.

On April 24, Karen News ran a story about the checkpoints after villagers and traders alleged Burma Army and soldiers from the Karen National Liberation Army, Brigade 4, were extorting ‘taxes’ from them.

A merchant told Karen News that since the checkpoint has closed it is now easier and cheaper to travel in the area.

“We are free to travel. There is no checkpoint and no more questions asked of us. We are happy the checkpoints have been withdrawn “.

Wartaw village is located between Sin Phyu Tai and Amo villages, two miles from the Thai-Burma Border. The people from Sin Phyu Tai village tract are mostly farmers that work on plantations and logging to earn a living.

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