More than 11 months after the Myanmar military junta overthrew a civilian government, motorcycle theft is on the rise in Ayeyarwady region, according to Pathein residents.

The junta troops and police have been waited in ambush and are patrolling with vehicles across the city day and night and a curfew has been imposed but people are also concerned about their motocycles as thefts increase.

As a local resident explained, after the military coup, a lot of thieves disappeared. However, thefts have increased lately.

“People who have experienced such incidents have never complained to the police because they did not take action. They have to take care of themselves," he said.

Motorbikes go missing on a daily basis in Maubin township, Kangyi Daunt township, Pathein and other townships in Ayeyarwady region. A person who lost his motorbike said township police stations or area police stations have not investigated criminal cases such as theft, pickpockets and robbery after the military coup.

"In our town, a motorcycle parked in front of our house was stolen even in the afternoon. These incidents are happening a lot. When I went and complained to the police, it was as if they have no responsibility to take action and they indicated they did not want to file a case. So, no one is going to complain anymore," he said.

The junta’s troops and the policemen have not been investigating the theft of motorcycles belonging to the people, but they are searching and arresting CDM staff and PDF members on a daily basis, according to Pathein residents.