Extortion by junta personnel from civilians is an ongoing threat to stability in Southeastern Burma, according to civil society organisation, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM).

On the evening of 16 January, local villagers reported that soldiers from the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 285 led by Captain Khin Zaw killed a 33-year-old villager from Shin Pone village, in Tanintharyi’s Palaw Township, Myeik District and stole his belongings worth about three million kyats when they entered the village.

Local villagers reported that after soldiers from junta Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 285 led by Captain Khin Zaw entered Shin Pone Village, in Tanintharyi’s Palaw Township on the evening of 16 January, they killed a 33-year-old villager and stole his belongings worth about three million kyats.

“They raided and searched at least ten suspected houses at around 7:00 p.m. Junta forces led by Cap. Khin Zaw raided the house of Ko Lin Lin Wai. They killed him and took a gold chain and property worth 30 lakh. He was s a fisherman, originally from Shap Pone Ko”, said a local.

According to villagers about 40 soldiers from LIB 285 are now stationed at Shap Pone Village School.

“The junta arrested five villagers. Two were from this village, and another three men were from other nearby areas. They were arrested as porters. They [the junta] also confiscated two four wheels drive trucks with their drivers,” said a Shin Pone villager who witnessed these incidents reported.