Narinjara News, 16 July 2022

A Burmese military navy ship has summoned local fishermen in Man Aung township,who were fishing by boats near the ship, asking money illegally and navypersonnel  also threatened those fishermen.

On 14 July  at around 2.30 pm, a fisherman was returning after fishing worksand he was threatened by the navy personnel asking for the toll, informed alocal resident of Man Aung township.

“Fisherman Ko Maung Soe Win was tied by a rope on a navy ship and they demandedmoney. He was released only after paying Kyats 50,000,” said the resident.

Maung Soe Win (47 years old) hailing from Tan Long Gon village of Zaret KonKhin village-tract under Man Aung township had to pay some money to navypersonnel.

Narinjara News contacted Maung Soe Win and his wife on the telephone, but thephone went on ringing.

Since 14 July, the military navy ship has anchored in the sea between KyungPhayu village under Kyauk Pyu township and Myawdo Oo village under  ManAung township. The fishermen are getting calls from the navy personnel formoney.

A local fisherman, who wanted anonymity, informed that the navy personnelreleased a fishing boat only after taking Kyats 50,000.

"Most of the fishing boats had to pay Kyats 50,000 each to the navy personnel. They allowed the fishingboats to move after taking the money. Otherwise they harass the fishermen andeven threaten of arrest.

Earlier in June too, a navy ship anchored near the mouth of  Maw creek under Man Aung township nearly for a week and collected money illegally from thefishermen.

"Even though the fishermen know the collection was illegal in nature, theyout of fear paid the money,” he added.

A local politician commented that this kind of money-collection resurfacedafter the military council took office and hence the higher officials shouldinvestigate the matter.

Rakhine fishermen, who are struggling because of economic crisis and commodityprice rises, are often face arrest when they can not pay the insisted amount ofmoney to the security forces. Many poor fishermen start looking alternatives asthey can not survive with the profession.

Photo caption: A navyship is seen collecting money from local fishermen