Military Detains Officer's Father for Buying Medicine Without a Recommendation Letter

Military officer's father arrested for allegedly buying medicine without an endorsement letter

October 16

In Zigon Township, Bago Region, the father of a military officer from the junta that seized power was arrested for allegedly buying household medicines without obtaining an endorsement letter from the administrator, it is learned.

In early October, U So Thein, 60, from Kyarsu Village, Pagoda Kyaung Kone Village Tract, Zigon Township, was arrested by a joint team of police and administrators near the Myo U monastery on Gone Road, Ward No. 1, Zigon Town, after medicines were found in his possession, it is learned.

"Glucose bottles and English medicines were found. He was arrested on suspicion because he bought them without obtaining an endorsement from the administrator. He was first sent to the interrogation center, and from there brought back to Zigon police station. In Zigon, if you buy medicine, you have to buy it with an endorsement letter from the administrator. Big shops have to submit with a ledger receipt, an administrator's endorsement, and, if crossing the region, even an endorsement from the regional government. Because of having to pay money at each level of endorsement like this, medicine prices in the market are high," a Zigon resident said.

U So Thein, who was arrested for buying personal-use medicines, was returned to Zigon Town police station on October 13, and his family has not been allowed to see him, with permission given only to send him food, it is learned. In addition, U So Thein's son is an officer in an infantry unit of the junta that seized power, it is learned.

After the junta that seized power restricted all imports in order to reduce the use of US dollars, construction materials, iron, and other consumer goods including medicines have been in short supply in the market, and people are having to buy them at high prices, it is learned.

MyoTaw News Channel