SHAN STATE – Residents said that the minions of junta council, traffic police at the exit of Hopong city on Hopong-Loilem road, have been extorting money from local drivers starting Monday (August 28).
Drivers who experienced the extortion shared that around five traffic police were causing trouble fir the public on the road, near the city’s entrance sign, on August 28th, by inspecting motorcycles and cars for driving and vehicle licenses and asking for money.”
“Those white heads (referring to the white helmets worn by traffic police) have been doing it since the previous year. Finding one reason or another to ask for money. They ask for up to 30,000 for motorcycles, 50,000 for cars,” said a driver who had to pay 50,000 himself.
A resident of Hopong said that the junta traffic police were picking holes in the motorcycles and cars, such as lack of license for vehicle or driving license, not wearing the helmet and so on, mainly for money.
“I also wear a motorcycle helmet. I had to pay 20,000 because the motorcycle didn’t have a side cover. If I don’t pay, I have to go to court, so I paid because I didn’t want it turning into a mess. How can I be satisfied in my mind,” said a resident of Hopong Township.
Not like under the civil government, extorting money has become quite common for the traffic police under junta council.
Locals shared that as the economy is currently bad, they don’t want extortion or asking for money.
As this is happening in the Pa’o Autonomous Region, the locals are also criticizing the fact that the PNO has not taken any action.