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Corrupt Village Administrator causing Land Conflicts

HURFOM: Since 2013, the land of several villagers in Kaung Hmuu village, Phaung Taw village tract, Yebyu Township, Thanintaryi region, was confiscated by another villager, Ko Htein Win, due to a corrupt village administrator allowing the confiscation to occur. The villagers who lost their land are known as U Thi Shwe, U Myint Thein, Daw Aye Mar, and Ko Hla Myo.

In 2013, U Khin Maung Myint was the village administrator of Kaung Hmuu village. During his term, villagers claimed that he was corrupt. Seemingly, he favored those who were rich and together they would confiscate land from poorer villagers.

Ko Htein Win cooperated with the village administrator and confiscated land for his own benefit. Villagers alleged that he was rich and used to work in Thailand. It was also claimed that he took the land without giving any sort of compensation. After confiscation, he also cleared all plants and trees, and he replanted new trees.

U Thi Shwe from Kaung Hmuu village stated “I have been working on my land since 1990-1991. I planted many things such as betel nut, cashew, and other plants. In 2013, most of my plants were cut down. There are only a few left. Now they own my land. Although, they might not have documents to prove that it is their land”.

U Thi Shwe detailed “In Kaung Hmuu village, we did not need to have any documents to be able to work on plantations and farms. Regarding our confiscated land, we submitted letters to the relevant departments to get our land back. However, the local administration did not solve the problem for us but asked us to go to the township administration. Because it is very costly to travel there, we don’t always go to the township. We only went there once and submitted a letter but they did not reply”.

Daw Ma Yi from Kaung Hmuu village also told HURFOM that “We began planting in 2005. We planted rubber, cashew, betel nut, lime, and mangoes tee plants. Not all plants are producing fruits yet, but should be producing fruit within 11 years. They confiscated my land in May, 2015. The person who confiscated the land is called Ko Htein Win, from this village. When he came, no one was with him. He came alone to tell us that it is his ancestral land. I lost the case, even though I spoke to the village headman. It is because I am a poor person. The poor always lose. We rely on this land for our livelihoods. Now our land has been taken and we have difficulties. We want our land back. We don’t know what to do next in order for us to get our land back. To win this case, we need money. With our current aptitude, we will not get our land back.”

It is known that Ko Htein Win confiscated over 200 acres of land.

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