Authorities seize illegal oil extraction sites in Myaing

THE terrorist insurgents have been illegally extract­ing the country’s valuable natural resources for their own interests and using the proceeds to purchase weapons and ammunition, strengthen their forces, and carry out destructive activ­ities. Therefore, based on accurate information pro­vided by the residents, Tat­madaw columns conducted security operations against locations near Taegyi Vil­lage in the Letpan Toe- Kyauk Khwet oilfield area of Myaing Township, where PDF-affiliated terrorist in­surgents were illegally ex­tracting oil and exercising control over residents. The security forces also carried out operations to destroy the illegal oil extraction sites by fire.

The insurgent groups were operating oil wells in Myaing Township and col­lecting extortion fees from locals engaged in tradition­al hand-dug oil extraction; security forces began nec­essary search and inspec­tion operations.

From 31 August to 27 September, a total of 131 illegal oil extraction sites were uncovered- one site on 31 August, two on 3 Sep­tember, one on 4 Septem­ber, two on 5 September, three each on 6, 7 and 8 Sep­tember, five each on 9, 11, 12, 13 September, six each on 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 September, seven on 15 September, and eight each on 26 and 27 Septem­ber. Equipment used for oil processing was seized, along with 246 temporary huts used as shelters by the insurgent groups.

The authorities are systematically destroying the seized illegal oil extrac­tion sites and equipment by fire in accordance with procedures. Necessary se­curity operations will con­tinue in the area to prevent further illegal oil extraction activities. — MNA/KTZH