Junta forces people to buy motorbikes

_{By: Lieng Lern}
 
The order was given in December 2007. "Before this, they used to come and hire our motorbikes and it could take up to 3 or 4 nights. When they gave back to us, we had to repair everything without any compensation from them," one villager said.
 
The police station officer collects tax from the villagers who own motorbikes. The tax is Kyat12,000 ($10) for each. They then buy motorbikes from the tax money.
 
"Each village has to buy at least one motorbike for them. After that, the villagers have to take turns to buy petrol for them. Currently, the price of petrol is Kyat 1,300 ($1) for half a gallon (almost 2 liters)," he added.
 
Mong Ngaw Township is the home to many different religions and ethnic nationalities such as Lisu, Kachin, Shan, Palaung and Wa. Many of them are tea planters.