‘Thug leaders’ still in action in far-flung Yangon townships

Tin Aung Htun, the minister of Yangon Region’s Border and Security Affairs, tells the BBC’s Myanmar service that authorities have only been able to nab half of 12 “thug leaders” in the troubled townships of Shwepyithar and Hlaing Tharyar.

He asked communities to help with law enforcement as the ratio of 1 police officer for every 1,200 people made the job difficult.

According to the BBC, Hlaing Tharyar has the highest crime rate in Yangon, comes as no surprise. It’s the most populated township and poverty is rife. 

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