In Pazundaung Township, Yangon, police and administrative officials arrested a civilian on accusations of lottery selling and demanded 32 million kyat (320 lakhs) in extortion money. The incident occurred on February 4th when police and administrators entered and arrested U Maung Myint, a resident of Zi Zawa Street in Ward 8 of Pazundaung Township. Following the arrest, Township Police Chief Police Major Min Han, Station Chief Police Captain Zaw Zaw, Local Security Police Lieutenant Nyi Min Naing, Ward 7 Administrator Bo Kyaw Min, and Pyusawthi member Jo Jo demanded 32 million kyat through coercion, according to local residents.
The incident reportedly took place without the knowledge of Ward 8 Administrator Myo Myint, as Pyusawthi member Jo Jo and Ward 7 Administrator Bo Kyaw Min collaborated with police forces to carry out the extortion. According to local residents, U Maung Myint was arrested on allegations of selling lottery tickets, and they forcibly demanded money from him. After he was compelled to pay, the officials allegedly divided the extorted money among themselves. Local sources confirmed that Ward 8 Administrator Myo Myint was not aware of this extortion scheme, which was orchestrated by Pyusawthi member Jo Jo and Ward 7 Administrator Bo Kyaw Min in collaboration with police officers.
Meanwhile, in Myitkyina, Kachin State, military personnel robbed two ticals of gold from a civilian after falsely accusing him of drug use. On March 19th, military and police forces conducting checks on pedestrians near Myanmar Economic Bank street in Myitkyina stopped a motorcycle rider, accused him of drug use, beat him, and seized two ticals of gold. According to friends of the victim, the military personnel and police stopped the motorcycle in front of Myanmar Economic Bank, forced the rider into an alley, accused him of drug use despite his denials, beat him with weapons, and robbed him of the gold he was carrying. When the victim sought help at a nearby police station regarding the incident, the police ignored his plea and took no action, according to sources familiar with the situation.
