Traders in domestic animals in Matupi Township, Chin state, Burma are facing extortion by the Burmese Army’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No (140) based in Sabawngte village’s camp near the Indo-Burma border.
Seven buffalos were seized by Major Thein Zaw Thaih, the second commander of LIB-140 with the help of six soldiers, between Sabawngpi and Sabawngte village and money was extorted on 13 November 2012.
“We gave a solar plate to the soldiers costing Rs. 20,000 and a mobile phone as ransom for the buffaloes. We have been granted bail by an administrator of Sabawngte village,” said the owner of the cattle.
Besides, ten cows being taken to Mizoram, northeast India were seized for ransom by soldiers from traders.
The traders intended to buy some rice for their families after selling their domestic animals, said a local.
“He does not know what to do about the ten cows. The soldiers also beat up the owner of the cows,” said a local.
The domestic animals were seized by Major Thein Zaw Thaih’s soldiers when Lieutenant General Myint Soe, Bureau of Special Operation of the Defence Ministry visited Sabawngte village camp in an army aircraft.