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 navy personnel also threatened those fishermen.
On 14 July at around 2.30 pm, a fisherman was returning after fishing works and he was threatened by the navy personnel asking for the toll, informed a local resident of Man Aung township.
“Fisherman Ko Maung Soe Win was tied by a rope on a navy ship and they demanded money. 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 Kon Khin village-tract under Man Aung township had to pay some money to navy personnel.
Narinjara News contacted Maung Soe Win and his wife on the telephone, but the phone went on ringing.
Since 14 July, the military navy ship has anchored in the sea between Kyung Phayu village under Kyauk Pyu township and Myawdo Oo village under Man Aung township. The fishermen are getting calls from the navy personnel for money.
A local fisherman, who wanted anonymity, informed that the navy personnel released 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 fishing boats to move after taking the money. Otherwise they harass the fishermen and even 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 the fishermen.
"Even though the fishermen know the collection was illegal in nature, they out of fear paid the money,” he added.
A local politician commented that this kind of money-collection resurfaced after the military council took office and hence the higher officials should investigate the matter.
Rakhine fishermen, who are struggling because of economic crisis and commodity price rises, are often face arrest when they can not pay the insisted amount of money to the security forces. Many poor fishermen start looking alternatives as they can not survive with the profession.
