Residents of Kunhing Township in Shan State, Myanmar, are facing escalating financial strain as the military junta continues to demand exorbitant payments under questionable justifications.

According to local sources, the junta has been systematically extracting money from households since mid-2024, citing military expenses and service costs as reasons for the forced contributions.

A resident of Kunhing Township, who spoke to the Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) on condition of anonymity, revealed that households are being compelled to pay between 30,000 and 70,000 kyats monthly.

“They claim it’s for military expenses, but the payments are relentless. Some families are forced to pay over 100,000 Kyats a month, even when they have little to no income,” she said.

The financial demands come amid a backdrop of rising living costs and prolonged political instability, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet.

“We can barely afford food and basic necessities, yet they come every month to collect these ‘taxes.’ Some households have no cash at all, but they are still pressured to pay,” added a local man.

In a troubling development, residents reported that in January 2025, a local junta commander collected additional sums ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 kyats per household, allegedly on behalf of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA).

However, an RCSS/SSA official swiftly denied any involvement, stating, “The military council’s collection of money for military service and expenses has nothing to do with us. They are using our name to justify their extortion, but we are not part of this.”

Kunhing Township, once known for its relative peace, has recently seen sporadic clashes between the Myanmar military junta, the RCSS/SSA, and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP/SSA). The ongoing presence of these armed groups has further destabilized the region, exacerbating the hardships faced by civilians.

As the junta’s financial demands continue to mount, residents are left with few options, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the area. The international community is urged to take note of these exploitative practices and the deteriorating conditions for civilians in Shan State.