In Rakhine State, a powerful revolutionary State in western Myanmar, the coup army destroyed the Chin Kwin Bridge in Kyeintali Township on the Thandwe-Gwa highway using landmines. Additionally, mines were planted along the road leading to the ferry port. This destruction forced approximately 10 boats to ferry people across the river at a cost of 2,000 Kyats per person and 5,000 Kyats per motorcycle.
At the top of the marina, a police checkpoint is demanding tolls from travelers. Local emergency patients and pregnant women are suffering due to the disruption of healthcare services. According to locals, the flow of goods has nearly halted, with the coup army confiscating goods out of fear that they may be supporting the Arakan Army (AA).
A police squad has been extorting money from those carrying goods, often not returning all items even when payments are made. A few days ago, merchants had their belongings seized by police at the top of the Chin Kwin Bridge and were fined 10,000,000 Kyats. To transport 160,000,000 Kyats worth of basic food items to Thandwe, they were asked to pay a 30,000,000 Kyat transportation fee. When they refused, all their items were confiscated.
Local residents reported that if caught crossing by boat, they were threatened and extorted for money.
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