Traffic policemen in the city are bringing in between 30,000 and 50,000 Kyats per week, according to a resident with connections to the Hakha police department.

“The traffic police are entitled to levy a fine to maintain traffic rules and regulations. But they apply different fines to different motorcyclists. They do not fine riders for not using a helmet,” said a motorcycle owner in Hakha.

Usually, traffic policemen in Chin state carry out on-the-spot fines at checkpoints without transferring the cases to the main office.

“The traffic police do not follow their own rules and regulations,” said a local.

Motorcyclists from rural areas face being stopped and fined at traffic police checkpoints in the city.

“Traffic policemen have been checking groups for motorcycle licenses, those without helmets, and to see what they are carrying,” said a local.