Over 300 unlicensed motorcycles seized for use in Pyinmana

IMNA
February 7, 2006

Never to let a chance go by the Burmese military regime has begun to seize unlicensed motorcycles in Moulmein , Mon State for the army's use in the new capital, Pyinmana. The military's southeast region command is seizing 300 unlicensed motorbikes, according to source close to the army.

On orders from the military command, the Moulmein city and traffic police are cracking down on unlicensed motorcycles in the city by setting up many checkpoints. The crackdown on unlicensed motorbikes started yesterday.

“We do not dare go out. We hide our motorbikes. They have setup a checkpoint in Zay-kyo,” a motorbike owner without a license in Zay Kyo said.

The crackdown started since early morning in the entire city. According to sources close to the army, if the authorities cannot seize at least 300 motorcycles in the city, they will crackdown on other towns and villages. Spurred on by this directive the police have already seized 50 motorcycles.

The government will use the motorcycles for their departmental staff and military officers stationed in Pyinmana.

The military regime is moving all its government departments to the new capital Pyinmana. And the deadline to complete shifting is set for the end of February.

In Burma ( Myanmar ) local people import motorcyclesfrom Thailand illegally on the basis of an understanding with local Burmese authorities were bribery comes into play.

Local people claim the motorcycles made in Burma are very expensive and people prefer to buy those made in Thailand .

Local people use thousands of unlicensed motorbikes. In March 2005 the military government introduced a law against people using unlicensed cars and motorcycles. If found in possession of unlicensed vehicles owners would be sentenced to three years in prison.

Last year people handed over thousands of such cars and motorbikes under the law.

About three month later, however, local people have again begun importing motorcycles again by bribing local authorities.