Burmese Army forces villagers to relocate

February 20, 2008

Mi Kyae Goe, IMNA,
The Burmese regime is forcing villagers in Mon state to relocate to land being sold by the regime at high prices.

Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 31, which operates in Kaw-zar sub-township in Southern Mon state, has ordered residents of the Kyone-kanya village to move into an area near to a new road, claiming it will improve the development of the village.

“The army wants people to dismantle their houses and rebuild them close to the road,” said a Kyone-kanya villager who was forced to relocate. His sister was also forced to relocate. “Villagers don’t want to leave their neighborhood because they love their homes. But they have to move because they fear the army,” he added.

The Burmese Army is selling the plots of land for 150,000 Kyat (126 US $) to villagers who must dismantle their existing homes and 400,000 Kyat (336 US $) for others.

Lieutenant Colonel Ye Lwin Oo and Major Tun Tun Naing, of LIB No. 31, are responsible for the relocation order, a source in Burma said.

The same battalion ordered the relocation of over a hundred Bayoun-nage village households and destroyed others July 2007.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News