Maj. Than Zaw Hteik and six soldiers from the Light Infantry Battalion-140 have been confiscating their livestock. If the farmers want their cattle back they have to give the soldiers whatever they ask for.

“We had to give a solar panel worth 20,000 Indian rupees (US $359.44) and a mobile phone in order to get back seven cows from soldiers,” said one farmer.

The extortion took place on Nov.13 near the Indo-Burma border where the battalion is based. The bribes the farmers are forced to pay to get their livestock are cutting into their profits.

The same soldiers have allegedly stolen 10 cows from other traders at another check point.

One local claimed they even beat up the farmers. However Khonumthung has not been able to confirm this at the time of press.