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SHAN STATE – The junta soldiers and police have been extorting money from travelers as alcohol allowances at the Le Char Gate in the south of Shan.
The troops at the gate from the southern part of town extort between 5,000 MMK and 30,000 MMK as alcohol allowances. “They extorted 10,000 MMK from me for their alcohol allowances. I politely requested to give 5,000 MMK. If not, I might be abducted for another reason,” said one driver.
The junta soldiers stop every car, including express cars, and extort more from trucks. “Trucks carrying cargo are extorted 20,000 MMK to 30,000 MMK, not just 5,000 MMK or 10,000 MMK. Cars carrying bricks and sand must pay whenever they pass. The extortion at Le Char Gate is getting worse,” he added.
Le Char Town, the focal town, is located on the Taunggyi – Loilen – Le Char – Mong Hsu Road, and a massive number of trucks and civilian cars pass through it daily.