Gas Pipeline ruptures near Kwan Hlar: residents fear consequences

June 6, 2010

Mudon: On May 30th, a rupture occurred in the Kanbauk to Myingkalay Gas pipeline late in the evening. Residents, who reported that the ruptured pipe continued to spew gas, making a loud noise, said that people suffering from the smell of the gas.

People reported to HURFOM that they are afraid of being abused and of facing demands for money and forced labor, which have been previously ordered by the local authorities under similar circumstances.

“The gas is [coming] out from a [pipe] joint and creates a sound that can be heard from far away,” explained Nai San, a resident near the pipeline, who insisted his name be concealed our of fear of reprisals. “People always pray for it not to explode from the pipe line. So it is now [just] spilling out [and] fortunately there is no fire or flames from the pipe. If it catches fire, the authorities will accuse us of connecting with a rebel group and seize everyone.”

Many of the residents think the rupture is the same as in previous ruptures because of a failure in the welding around the joints coupling two pipe segments together – a problem villagers say comes from poor welding technology. At the time of the writing of this article local Burmese military battalions Artillery Regiment (AR) No. 318 and Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 62 have yet to make any accusations regarding the rupture.

Village leaders informed Burmese battalions, the Mudon Township Chairman, and local village level land security officials as soon as the rupture occurred, which prompted officials to come and look at the rupture, a witness told HURFOM.

Mi Kon May, 63, a resident from the undisclosed village, commented on what he expected would happen as a result of the rupture from his past experiences when the pipeline has been damaged:

Nothing is good from either a spill or an explosion. Now I have to already pay 3000 to 4000 kyat for pipeline security [per month]. They always accuse people or groups around here without evidence and arrest people. Our village is the worst one among the villages the gas pipeline crosses. We are always being punished because of it. Therefore, residents flee to Thailand and Malaysia for work to avoid this cruelty. For example, many people were caught and tortured for several months because of an explosion in 2002. [Victims families] had to bribe a lot to get them free. I do not let my sons come back to our village because of these things.

“Although there is no action from authorities at the moment, I know it will come soon as we have learnt from previous explosions”, said a farmer from Kwan Kapi, a village near Kwan Hlar.

“We are not expecting a punishment, but it may become soon. At [the] least we will have to pay for the gas line, as well as guarding for the pipe. Now they [military authorities] are inquiring into the event and they are starting to charge money from households, in order to guard the pipeline, and have blamed all the villagers at a meeting. This is [their response] at the least, I mean. Also it will always be like this because of this pipeline.”

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News