Irrawaddy-Nov 7
Myanmar’s citizens have witnessed surging crime in their neighborhoods since the military coup last year, as law enforcement deteriorates and the regime is unable to run the country properly. The country’s business hub, Yangon, is no exception. U Myint Wai, a 78-year-old retired physics lecturer from Yangon University, was killed along with his wife in their apartment in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township last week. He was known for his books explaining relativity, quantum theory and other complex scientific concepts to general readers in Myanmar. He and his wife, also a retired teacher in her 70s, were found dead with knife wounds on Sunday. Money and valuables in the house were stolen by the murderers, according to neighbors. The elderly couple’s vicious murder was yet another example of how the criminal element has been unleashed as the city’s rule of law crumbles in the wake of last year’s military takeover. On Tuesday, a building material shop in downtown Pabedan Township was robbed by three men. CCTV footage of the scene shows the men stabbing the shop owner several times with knives before stealing 15 million kyats (over US$7,000), two mobile phones and a car. Yangon residents lived in relative security before the coup in February 2021, but conditions are very different now.
They have witnessed a surge in crimes like murder, robbery and looting amid soaring inflation and a lack of job opportunities following the military takeover.
Residents also blamed the police for focusing on arresting anti-junta activists and resistance forces, rather than performing their basic duty to enforce the rule of law.
Their argument is justified given Myanmar jails are now teeming with political prisoners rather than criminals. In its latest report, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) said a total of 16,016 civilians and pro-democracy activists have been arrested since the military seized power, with 12,806 in detention as of October 31. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/crime-surges-under-myanmar-junta-as-rule-of-law-crumbles.html
