သူရိန် Local residents said that the PNO militia is collecting 6 lakhs kyats from each household of displaced people returning to their homes in Hsi Hseng Township, southern Shan State.
The PNO militia said that the collection began on February 1 and that the money will be paid by the end of this month.
“The villagers have not been collecting money for a long time. They are collecting it because they have to protect the security of village. The villagers are difficult to pay 6 lakhs kyats. It is not a small amount,” said a villager.
The PNO troops, the village headman, and the administration officers are collecting the money from house to house.
“The villagers have not worked since they returned to the village. They are collecting money without clearing the mines in the fields.Some villagers can pay the money. Most cannot,” he added.
We contacted Khun Htun Shwe, a PNO militia official, regarding this matter, but he did not answer the phone.
There are over 200 households in Naunt Thein village, with a population of nearly 2,000.
Locals said that the PNO militia is collecting fees in Hsi Hseng Township under various pretexts, such as military expenses and security expenses.
