U Kho Suan Khaing, chairman of the Township Peace and Development Council of Rihkhuadar town in Falam district in Chin state collected Rs. 150 per household from Rihkhawdar for the construction of a high school. The deadline was December 10.

Rihkhawdar town is about three or four miles from ‘Tio’ stream on the Indo–Burma border.

"They gave several reasons and collected money from us. We paid what they asked for because we are afraid of the consequence if we fail to pay", said a local in Chin state.

"We can afford to pay in Burmese currency but how can we in Indian Rupee", complained a local from Rihkhuadar.

Moreover, Rihkhawdar's TPDC authorities also issued an order that the locals have to buy Jatropha seeds at Kyat 30,000 per household.

For Jatropha and tea plantation projects, Burmese soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (266) have also demanded money from villagers in Shaling village tract. The villages were also forced to provide chickens, rice, cooking oil and salt, according to a villager.

"Whenever they (soldiers) come to the village, we arrange food and blankets at night," said a villager.

"The worst is when the commanders themselves are involved in patrol duty then we give rice and chickens," a former village council member in Rihkhawdar town said on condition of anonymity.

He added that during his term in the village council the price of chickens and rice they had provided soldiers with had already touched around Kyat 170,000. – Khonumthung.