After villager pipeline repairs, leaks and fear remain

June 24, 2009

HURFOM: After villagers repaired the gas pipeline with unpaid manual labor, there are still leaks in the Ah Khon village, Mudon Township, Mon State.

Because of the sustained leaks, the villagers worry that the Burmese army will force them to again repair the Yadana/Yetagun gas pipeline.

According to Ah Khon villager Mi Nyunt, 60, “the gas pipeline is leaking again near our village. We don’t know when they will force us to repair it again. Now, 7 troops including one commander stand guard around the gas pipeline. We are worried that they will make us work in the pipeline again.”

The authorities have blocked the nearby road, thus making it difficult for villagers to travel to and from their farms.

Nai Myint, 56, an Ah Khon villager said, “the authority took 300 yards and blocked the way around the gas pipeline. They don’t allow us to cross the road to get our farm. If we want to get our farm, we need to avoid the troops and go others way to get our farm.”

Adds Myint, “I also worry that if the authority forces our villager to repair again. Last time, we had to spend 5 days repairing the gas rupture.”

From June 10th-15th, about 100 villagers were forced to work on the Yadana/Yetagun gas pipeline without payment near Ah Khon village.

Editor’s note: All villager and farmer names have been changed for security purposes.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News