SOUTHERN SHAN STATE- In Nyangshwe Township, Inle region, passersby reportedly experienced hijacking by the military council at Paungpain Gate.
According to the witness, the military council troops have been hijacking the cars since April 8 and have also checked and raided the houses in Pyarpin village, one after another.
A villager from Paungpain said, “Yes, they hijacked the civilians’ vehicles and extorted money at that (security) gate. Travelers had to take a long way around the Sagar-Nanpan path as they were afraid of being hijacked or extorted. Junta troops put more focus on the cars.”
Military Council troops and militias have been deployed at the Paungpain, Inntain, Nang Pan, and Mine Thauk gates and have been extorting money depending on the condition of people and cars passing by, according to a victim.
“Since the Inle Water Festival is going to be held, it is possible that the cars were hijacked to transport their troops and weapons,” said a person close to a victim.
Pao National Army (PNA) has been providing advance security for the Inle Lake Thingyan since April 8, and it has been investigated that 40 boats from Mine Thauk village were threatened and hijacked (forced to be used during the festival period) by Mr. San Min, the police in charge of Nyang Shwe Police Station.