Multi-tiered hostage market emerges in Anyar
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Phyo/ Pearl (NP News) - September 25
A market for the sale of hostages has emerged in the Anyar areas, according to information obtained by The Statesman from local residents.
In some areas of Mandalay Region, where the PDF groups are dominant, these groups are reportedly abducting businessmen from their homes and contacting their family members to demand money.
In addition, a new market has recently emerged where kidnapped victims are transferred and sold through various levels of organizations.
“The hostages are being sold from one group to another. That’s what has been happening in Nyaung-U, and the same is true in Pakokku. The people who kidnapped someone sold him to another group, claiming he was wealthy. The first group sold the victim for K 100 million, and the second group resold him for K 200 million. It’s just like trading goods. By the time it reaches the victim's family, the ransom has climbed to K 800 to 900 million. The amount depends on the wealth and fear of the victim and his family. The more fearful they are, the more they are extorted,” a local resident told The Statesman.
It is reported that business owners are living in fear due to frequent kidnappings. There have been cases where business owners were kidnapped and held for ransom of about eight billion kyats.
Last July, a PDF team came to arrest a fuel entrepreneur in Nyaung-U and, when they couldn't find him, they kidnapped his wife and stole 500 million kyats, as well as a Hijet car.