Sittwe: Burmese military forces such as the army, navy, the Nasaka, police, and forestry officials deployed for "safeguarding national security" along waterways and land routes across western Burma's Arakan State have been stepping up collection of toll from the public as the election slated for 7 November draws near, say local residents.

"Earlier, they used to collect toll from passengers boats and barges carrying goods. But after the announcement of the election date, the forces have been stepping up collection of toll from even vessels and passengers without goods or cargo as if they will have nothing after the polls," a boat owner from Sittwe told Narinjara.

He said that naval and police forces deployed at the mouth of Sat Ro Kya Creed in Sittwe usually levied light toll from the privately-owned cargo vessels at their separate security gates, but since the announcement of the election date, they have increased the toll to 10,000 Kyat and above, depending on the size of the vessel.

Even empty vessels that cross their security gates have to pay a toll of 500 to 2,000 Kyat depending on size, he added.

A trader who imports vegetables to Sittwe said, "The naval ship anchored in the Kaladan River in front of the Myoma Market in Sittwe used to collect 1,000 or 1,200 Kyat for a 30-kilogram bag of green chili before, but that has now increased to 2,000 Kyat per bag."

According to sources, there are three naval ships deployed for security along the Kaladan River near Sittwe, and they have also increased the toll on cargo and passenger vessels.

A villager from Pori Pyin Village in Ponna Kyunt Township 12 miles south of Sittwe said, "The villagers, most of whom live by selling bamboo, are facing a burden in earning their livelihood as the newly opened toll gate run by police and forestry officials is collecting 1,000 Kyat for 100 bamboos."

Naval outposts and forestry officials deployed along the Mayu and Laymro Rivers are also collecting toll tax from the public on a whim, without setting a fixed rate, according to traders from those areas.

Cross-border traders also told Narinjara that the Burmese Navy has opened two new toll gates this September - one at Man Aung Island in southern Arakan and another at Soe Mae Kyi on Pharongar Islands 12 miles southeast of Sittwe. They are collecting tolls not only from smuggling boats, but also from licensed trading boats traveling to Bangladesh.

In addition to paying increasing and unofficial toll, traders also have had to pay additional jetty, market, and municipality fees to sell their goods in the markets in Arakan State.

"Though local residents are unable to earn their livelihood due to the increasing toll taxes, the higher military authorities are still not controlling their forces. It is like all forces are officially licensed to tax the public in Arakan State," said a trader.