Authorities under the military junta have resumed inspections and arrests involving unlicensed vehicles across several townships in Mon State, according to local motorists.
The operations are being carried out jointly by the military, People’s Militia members, traffic police, regular police, General Administration Department officials, and members of the People’s Security and Counter-Terrorism Force, according to local sources.
Residents said the joint teams have recently been seen at town entrances and exits, checkpoints and major intersections in Mawlamyine, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat and Ye townships.
A plantation worker in his 30s from Thanbyuzayat Township said the inspections have caused transportation difficulties for residents who rely mainly on motorcycles for travel and plantation work.
“These arrests may benefit them, but they create serious transportation problems for the public. At the very least, if you are caught, you will lose money, and your motorcycle could also be confiscated. In some cases, motorcycles are seized without giving owners a chance to obtain a license. Either way, it costs money. They are saying the crackdown will continue for a month,” he said.
On September 23, hundreds of motorcycles were reportedly seized near the Zay Gyo traffic lights in Mawlamyine. Some owners were able to recover their motorcycles after paying money, while vehicles belonging to people connected with government departments, the military, People’s Militia groups, traffic police and regular police were reportedly released, according to local residents.
The remaining motorcycles were confiscated, residents said.
Although authorities reportedly announced that inspections of unlicensed vehicles would begin on September 23, operations in Ye Township started in early September, while some other townships began inspections in mid-September.
A young Mawlamyine resident said even drivers and riders with properly licensed vehicles are avoiding checkpoints because officials are allegedly demanding money for various reasons.
“People have to be very careful around checkpoints and intersections. Even if you have a license, you do not want to go through when they are there. They keep pressuring you until they get money,” he said.
People who have experienced the inspections said authorities under the military junta are demanding up to 30,000 kyats from licensed motorcycle riders who are not wearing helmets, and up to 50,000 kyats if the motorcycle also lacks rear-view mirrors.
Local residents said unlicensed vehicles are also being used by members of the military, police, Pyu Saw Htee, local security groups, People’s Militia groups, armed organizations and people close to them. Some motorists are also reportedly able to use unlicensed vehicles by paying monthly fees to traffic police.
