![](https://thadinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/6-11-1024x768.jpg)
SOUTHERN SHAN STATE- Residents reported that the Pao Militia (Pa’O National Army -PNA) has been forcibly collecting military expenses in Pa’O villages in Taunggyi Township since the second week of March.
PNA officials pressured the residents through the village chief to pay for the expenses by March 15th, and locals are facing difficulties, said an informer.
A resident of Ping Ngo village said, “People are getting irritated because it’s not once or twice they have been extorting (money for military expenses) from us. We have been saving up to flee war when necessary but had to spend them on such extortion. The administrators are on their side too.”
In Taunggyi Township, Ping Ngo (aka Ping Pet Village), Mae Taung Village, and 6miles Kalar villages, they have been asking (for the military expenses) between 30,000 kyats to 50,000 kyats, depending on the social class.
A resident of 6miles Kalar village said, “At the moment, there are threats. But if the required money is not reached by the deadline, PNAs visit the houses with guns.”
The Pa’O villages in Taunggyi Township are not part of the Pa’O self-government, but after the military coup, the PNA has been in taken control of the area and has often collected fees.