Troops hawk posters at fancy prices for income
July 6, 2007: The Myanmarese Army never suffers from a dearth of ideas to make money on the side. At a time when people in the country are pummeled by sky rocketing prices of essential commodities, soldiers are hawking posters from door to door in Kalay town, Sagaing Division and forcing residents to buy them at fancy prices.
Army personnel from battalions in Kalay are selling pictures of Jesus Christ, famous film stars and cartoons in Tahan and Tawpila wards in Kalay. The soldiers charge Kyat 500 for a poster. In the event of a person refusing to buy, he is forced to pay Kyat 250 as voluntarily contribution, a Kalay local said.
"The price they (army) charge is much higher than the rate prevailing in the local market. If we don't buy, they demand Kyat 250," a Tahan local in Kalay said.
"It is apparent that the salary they draw is insufficient. Hence they sell goods like door to door hawkers," he added.
Some people from the Christian community were said to have bought pictures of Jesus Christ.
Army personnel in uniform have spread out to different wards in Kalay and walk from door to door selling cartoons, posters of Jesus Christ and famous film stars. Locals could not determine which battalion the soldiers belonged given that there are many battalions stationed in Kalay.
"At a time when we are struggling to survive by battling prices of essential commodities mounting daily, people are being forced to buy such posters. Such high handedness is unbearable," a local added.
Last year, military authorities in Tedim town in Chin state pressurized locals to buy calendars for 2007 as a fund raising campaign for the Mother and Child Care Committee and Chin Women's Affair Committee. – KNG.
