The author is a journalist from Shan State. They received support from The Kite Tales to write these diaries.
A bustling town on the China-Myanmar border, vibrant and brimming with the promise of prosperity for anyone willing to work day and night. It used to be joyful here, full of visitors and shoppers and rich with opportunity. Then the abductions began.
Initially, the targets were mainly young students, before the focus turned to more lucrative prey in the town’s prominent figures and wealthy businessmen. Many business owners fled in fear for their safety. But it did not stop there.
Soon attention shifted to shops, which were looted and robbed and storeowners taken away. Even doctors were not spared from the kidnappings. To put it bluntly, everyone from street vendors to scrap metal dealers started to live in fear of being snatched.
If bystanders try to help victims of robbery or kidnapping, they often find that the assailants are armed and very willing to open fire indiscriminately.
This has all happened since the military seized power in Myanmar in 2021. Its attempts to tighten its grip have only led to the collapse in the administrative machine and surging lawlessness.
Job opportunities became scarce in many parts of Myanmar, sparking an influx to the town of people hoping to find work in China. But changes to policy and at the border meant tens of thousands couldn’t cross and became stranded here.
Some, driven to desperation, resorted to robbery. Others preyed on their fellow travellers, posing as job brokers, or even engaged in human trafficking. There was no law, no authority to complain to.
Arrests are almost unheard of for these crimes. And when perpetrators are caught, they often turn out to be members of militias affiliated to the regime. Even military officials have been implicated in the kidnappings. People no longer know who to trust.
Day by day, the situation worsened. Kidnappings, car thefts, motorcycle thefts, bag and phone snatchings, and house break-ins became rampant. Witnesses are now too afraid to help, so society has grown almost indifferent. If it happens to you, you are on your own.
One day, I fractured my leg when my motorcycle overturned. Walking with crutches was difficult, so I thought I'd return to my village. But soon after I left, a neighbour from town called, telling me that my room had been broken into.
The next morning, I went back to town.
When I reached my room, my neighbours gathered around.
"It happened during the day. It was three young men. People saw them," a woman from the next room told me.
The woman in the room on the other side said: "Everyone in the compound knows who did it."
I was astonished when another male neighbour mentioned that he saw them take my solar panel and motorcycle, and even saw them pack my rice cooker into a bag. People saw the theft happening and did nothing to stop it.
My motorcycle, a three-by-three-foot solar panel, a set of batteries, solar power cables, light bulbs, a small portable solar light with cables and bulbs, a guitar, a violin, a phone camera tripod, a small power bank, a rice cooker, three new sets of Chinese Mahjong boxes, and even new motorcycle ropes and other small items – everything was gone.
I told my neighbours that I would retrieve my stolen items and asked for their help, but they only expressed fear of the thief. When I asked the eyewitness neighbour to speak up, he said: "The thief is part of a husband-and-wife team and they have a whole gang of thieves. I don't want any trouble."
With my hopes of getting my belongings back evaporating, I held tightly to my crutches, since I still couldn’t even walk properly.
I realised I had no one to rely on and nowhere to complain. I felt heartbroken and helpless, crushed by the lawlessness of this military-controlled town.
Artwork by JC who is receiving support by The Kite Tales to produce illustrations.
