Two members of the military council forces and Pyu Saw Htee militia were killed when the Daung Sit Aung People’s Defense Force (LPDF) engaged them during an operation targeting illegal toll collection along the Ayeyarwady River in Salin Township, Magway Region. The incident occurred on April 23 at the convergence point of Salin, Yenangyaung, and Pauk Townships. According to Ko Thu Lay, the commander of Daung Sit Aung LPDF, the operation was conducted in response to reports of systematic extortion of vessels traveling along the river.
The illegal toll collection operation had been ongoing for nearly a year under the direction of Aung Tin Linn, a military council administrator from Yenangyaung Township. The extortion scheme targeted ships and boats traveling along the Ayeyarwady River, with vessels being forced to pay between 150,000 and 200,000 kyats per passage. The operation reportedly collected approximately 2.5 million kyats daily, with the majority of the proceeds being transferred to their leader, Aung Tin Linn. The systematic nature of this extortion had significantly impacted local maritime commerce and civilian livelihoods.
Ko Thu Lay further explained that their force initiated the operation after receiving intelligence from local civilians about the illegal activities. When the LPDF members approached the location, the military council soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee members attempted to flee, resulting in an armed confrontation. The LPDF commander also highlighted that this action was part of a broader initiative to counter various forms of oppression by military council administrators in the area, including forced military recruitment, checkpoint extortion, and civilian persecution. He emphasized that their force would continue to take action against those who collaborate with the military council in oppressing local communities.
