SOUTHERN SHAN STATE – Travellers say that the junta council and the PNO militia group are looting the food items of the travellers at the Hmawbi Bridge gate, east of Inlay Lake, Nyangshwe township.
After increasing the strength at that Hmawbi Gate, travellers are being looted day by day, and even the food products brought by the people are being looted. On February 13, a traveler was reportedly extorted the properties worth 800,000 kyats.
Noodles, sardine, eggs, oil and other food items brought by some vendors to sell were also taken by force and the people did not dare to complain about their dissatisfaction.
The Hmawbi Bridge Gate is located on the road from Sankar, Nang Tok to Moe Bye, Pin Lon, Naung Tayar and Hsihseng, Banya, and it is said to be at the intersection of the road leading Sai Khao and Kyauktalon areas, and the boats going to Moe Bye from the waterway under the bridge have to pass that gate after paying the toll.
Formerly, there were hundreds of PNO militiamen led by the major deployed at that gate, but now it is known that they are headed by the junta council’s front line strategy level.
It is known that this bridge, which is the intersection, has been increased in guarding force because the revolutionary forces in Southern Shan are frequently attacking the military camps in Phekon area.