FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Regime threatens to prosecute people selling fuel on black market
The regime’s Petroleum Products Regulatory Department announced on Dec. 10 that anyone found with more than 50 gallons (189 liters) of petrol without a license could face a penalty of a five million kyat fine, or be sentenced to one year in prison, regime media reported.
Motorists have been queuing for hours daily to obtain fuel from petrol stations in Yangon, Naypyidaw and Mandalay. Sources told Al Jazeera that the shortages have been caused by the regime, as it has been hoarding diesel fuel imports for military operations. The price of fuel rose on Dec. 5 when the fixed foreign currency exchange rate was abandoned.
Beijing issues arrest warrants for Kokang officials
Chinese police have issued arrest warrants for 10 officials accused of leading cyber crime syndicates in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone of northern Shan State on Dec. 10, China Daily reported.
Bai Suocheng, the founder of the Kokang Border Guard Force (BGF), and his son Bai Yingcang, along with other Kokang officials have been accused of operating scam centers targeting Chinese citizens.
Rewards for information leading to their arrests range from 100,000-500,000 Chinese yuan ($13,700-69,600 USD). Three Kokang officials accused of cyber crimes were apprehended in Laukkai on Nov. 16 and immediately handed over to Chinese police.
Min Aung Hlaing visits northern Shan State
Min Aung Hlaing visited a military hospital in Lashio, located in northern Shan State, to meet with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at a local monastery on Dec. 10, regime media reported. Images shared online depict him with a pistol strapped to his waist.
He and his wife later visited the North-East Command Headquarters and presented 500 million kyat to soldiers and their families. Afterwards, they traveled to Pyin Oo Lwin, located in Mandalay Region, to attend a graduation ceremony at the Defence Services Technology Academy on Dec. 11.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Minbya Township residents state that a 12-year-old girl was killed and five others were injured by artillery fired by the Burma Army on Dec. 10. Four children and a woman are currently receiving treatment at Minbya General Hospital.
Pro-military media reported that the shells were fired by the Arakan Army (AA). The AA claimed that more than 30 civilians have been killed and over 100 were injured since fighting resumed in Arakan State with the Burma Army on Nov. 13.
SAGAING—Two Kuki National Army (KNA) fighters were killed and 12 others were injured by airstrikes during the KNA seizure of Aung Zay Ya military outpost in Tamu, located on the India-Burma border, on Dec. 10.
“We arrested six soldiers,” said a KNA spokesperson. More than 200 Burma Army personnel, pro-military militia members, and Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) troops were stationed at Aung Zay Ya.
SHAN—Hsenwi Township residents said that more than 10 homes and shops were destroyed by a fire following an airstrike on Dec. 10. “There were no fire trucks but some members of charity groups came. The fire was extinguished the next morning,” said a Hsenwi resident.
Fighting between the Brotherhood Alliance and the Burma Army broke out in November. The Brotherhood has seized over 200 military outposts, a police station, and toll gates in the east and northeast of the town.
YANGON—The Burma Army handed eviction notices to more than 20,000 households in five village tracts of Hmawbi Township, located near the Mingaladon Air Force Base, on Dec. 8. It accused them of squatting on property owned by the military.
Residents were told to vacate their homes before a deadline of March 8, 2024. “We’ve been living here for generations. People are crying after they heard this. Where should we move at this time?” asked a Hmawbi resident.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 3,550 kyat)
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