Arakanese Motor Boat Driver complains bitterly against the exploitation of Myanmar Soldiers

 

Myanmar soldiers station on the hill near the Ramaung Bridge in Minbya township, in Arakan, western Myanmar and they construct posts at the two sides of the river and then demanding fees from passers-by  by  force of arms even if bridge, road and river is not toll bridge, not toll road and not toll water way.

There are small motor boats in the river which transport villagers every day from villages to Minbya town and from Minbya town to villages. The boat driver Maung Lone, who is one of boat drivers, complained bitterly that he had been unfairly treated to pay money by Myanmar soldiers when he passed under the bridge.

According to report, When Maung Lone drove his small motor boat to town with passengers, he was asked to show his registration card – passengers are also asked to show – at the post under the Ramaung Bridge. Therefore he and his passengers handed over their cards to Myanmar soldiers. After a while, Myanmar soldiers told him that they will keep all cards until boat return back from town and ordered to purchase one visa of beef from town market for them.

When Maung Lone and his passengers came back from town, they were to stop at the post under the bridge. No sooner had Myanmar soldiers received one visa of beef from Maung Lone than they asked again Maung Lone to give 50 thousands Myanmar Kyat currency, saying Maung Lone was carrying cement bags on the boat. He explained bugger Myanmar soldiers that cement bags were inclusive tax and for construction of village monastery. But, he was rejected and forced to pay.

Maung Lone told local media – Narinjara News – that he had to pay yesterday also 3 thousands Myanmar Kyat to the Myanmar soldiers when he passed under the bridge. He continued to tell media that amount of 3 thousands money was somewhat small – US 2 dollars – I can try to pay them but 50 thousands money was too much for me, said Maung Lone.

Maung Lone pleaded political leaders through the media to handle exploitation of Myanmar armed forces in Arakan. The notorious Myanmar Army is currently launching an offensive military operation against the Arakan Army and against the civilians of Arakan, killing and wounding Arakanese people  every day and committing crimes against the humanity and committing war crimes by setting villages on fire, driving out villagers from their villages and looting belongings of villagers.