Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) has been collecting toll from market goers in Maungdaw North since August 25, said one a bazaar goer.

Nasaka personnel from Aung Mingala Nasaka camp of Maungdaw Township go to the junction, which the villagers use to go to local markets on bazaar days.

There are many local bazaars (markets) such as--- Amina Bazaar of Maung Nama village tract;  Bawli Bazaar of Bawli Bazaar village tract; Nanchaung Bazaar and Kratroo Pyin Bazaar in Maungdaw's northern district. Many villagers from nearby villages, as well as local people from Maundaw town go to the markets to sell and buy goods.

People go to the markets on foot, by motorcycles, on cycles and by passenger buses. The Nasaka has been collecting Kyat 200 per mound (37.32kg) of goods from market goers, even though there are market superintendents. It is not Nasaka’s duty to collect money from market goers, said a village trader who declined to be named.

Bawli Bazaar market is 18 miles, Nanchaung market 12 miles, Kratroo Pyin market 13 miles and Amina Bazar is 9 miles away from Maungdaw Town.

The Burmese regime’s policy of limiting the funding from the national budget of armed forces personnel has resulted in inadequate food or wages. Junta soldiers are instead compelled to extort money from the local population and small business owners by various forms.

A village elder said, “The Nasaka is collecting money from the villagers with many forms without any fear of the higher authority”.