Groups of Beggars and Garbage Pickers Increase in Mohnyin, Alongside Rising Shop Burglary Cases

Pajau Media

September 12, 2025

In Mohnyin Town, Kachin State, groups of beggars and garbage pickers have noticeably increased, while shop break-ins have also become more frequent, raising growing concerns about security among local residents.

"They go around the whole town begging, often in pairs or groups of three. If we don’t give them anything, people worry they might turn hostile. With so many beggars now, there are concerns that if they don’t get money, they could resort to robbery," said a 40 year old woman who runs a grocery shop in Mohnyin.

Recently, a tailoring training shop in Theim Inn Ward, a clothing store in Ye Le Kyun Ward, and a mobile accessories shop near the railway line were broken into, according to reports.

Residents believe that most of these groups of beggars and garbage pickers are drug users who are not originally from the town.

On August 24, over 60 drug users were reportedly brought by vehicle and dumped near Mohnyin central market. Since then, the number of beggars and garbage pickers has increased significantly.

Additionally, many of these individuals are said to have been expelled from the Indaw Gyi region after completing drug rehabilitation programs. Locals worry that when they lack money to purchase drugs, they may turn to theft, armed robbery, assaults, or even killings.

Residents emphasize that it is important to take preventive measures before crimes escalate further. They urge authorities to either send the beggars back to their hometowns or implement effective management solutions.

Similarly, in Myitkyina Town, daily incidents of theft, home break-ins, gold shop burglaries, motorcycle robberies, and even murders have become a serious concern.

News - Kachin Pyitar