Myanmar junta troops and allied Pyu Saw Hti militia members have been systematically extorting money and food from villagers in northern Ywangan Township, southern Shan State, according to local sources.

Since their arrival on July 18, the military forces have occupied multiple villages, coercing residents into providing cash payments and daily food supplies. As of July 21, the troops remain stationed in the area, further tightening their grip on the local population.

A 30-year-old villager, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that soldiers demand 500,000 kyats (USD 115) per village and 2,000 kyats per household during each visit, a recurring ordeal happening three times a month.

“They come in groups of around 30 and force us to accommodate them in our homes and monasteries, while we’re made to cook and serve their meals,” he said.

Adding to the distress, residents in Myatheintan and Myazaydi villages reported that mobile networks were deliberately cut off during the military’s presence, isolating communities and amplifying fear.

A woman in her 20s described the situation: “They’ve taken over our homes and religious sites, leaving people terrified and afraid to move freely.”

The crackdown follows the June 11 abduction of three General Administration Department staff by unidentified armed groups. In response, the military has escalated patrols, checkpoints, and restrictions across Ywangan.

In Nwarbangyi village, residents now face strict curfews, with entry and exit permitted only at designated times under military supervision. On July 18, troops assembled villagers, issuing a chilling warning: any harm to Pyu Saw Hti members would result in collective punishment.

The junta’s intensified operations highlight a broader strategy of coercion and control in Shan State. With communication blackouts, forced tributes, and martial restrictions, villagers endure mounting hardships under military occupation.

As tensions rise, locals remain trapped between armed factions, fearing reprisals while struggling to survive the junta’s oppressive demands.