Telenor cell phone tower disturb villagers

September 7, 2016

Telenor Burma, a major mobile operator in Burma, has established its cell phone tower near Kyaung How Monastery in A-lae (middle) Ward in Kwan Sart Village, Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State. The monks in the monastery, children in a nearby kindergarten and villagers who live near the towers are tired from the disturbance caused by the tower.

The tower has been operating since February 2016 and because of its loud noise, the monks cannot practice their meditation; and the children are unable to take a nap at noon. Moreover, the noise produced by the tower causes the children to suffer from tachycardia (a rapid heart rate) and disturb their sleep. Therefore, local residents, monks and officials from the kindergarten have reported their problem to the authorities.

Local residents have sent letters of complaint to Thanbyuzayat General Administration Office on February 21, 2016; to the office of Ministers’ of the Mon State government on April, 2016; to Mon State Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and Mon State Minister for Transport and Communications on July 3, 2016; to Township Administrators in Mawlamyine; and to the Chief Minister of Mon State.

After receiving the complaint letters, the upper-level authority instructed the Telenor Burma to meet with the villagers. The officials from the Telenor Company visited the village and met with locals. The company promised that they would report the problem to their upper officials to end the issues and reduce the noise. However, the problem has still not been solved today. The Company has not responded to phone calls from the villagers too.

Monk Bat Dan Da Mar Lar Na Da, the administrator of the Kyaung How Monastery stated, “As the tower is very close to the monastery, its loud noise disturbs our prayers. The vibration produced by the tower shakes the monastery and the brick-fence. The tower creates a noisy environment.”

“The company promised to reduce the noise, the problem has not been solved yet. The kindergarten has been open for 2 years and we are worried that the school has to be closed. I want the Company to reduce the noise or solve the problem,” continued the monk.

Kindergarten Teacher Daw Moe War Aung stated, “The school used to have around 40 children, however, now only 20 students remain. The parents of the students are worried that their children will be in danger. Parents are hesitating to send their children to this school. The tower produces a loud noise so the children can’t take a nap.”

Before establishing the cell phone tower, the company promised the villagers they would make a contract with the people who live on either side of the tower and guaranteed that the tower will not produce noise. However, the company only signed the contract with villagers from two sides of the tower, which excludes the monastery and the kindergarten. According to Daw Di Thar Ohm most of the residents in A-Lae Ward were against the construction of the tower.

Daw Di Thar Ohm elaborated, “My mother’s hearing used to be better than mine, however, because of the noise from the tower, she can’t hear very well now. The children also can’t do their studying due to the noise. The tower produces a constant noise and it’s very annoying. They’re cruel people. They don’t care about the villagers and also don’t listen to our complaints.”

The tower usually operates from 6am to 12am and from 2pm to 7:15pm. Sometimes, it operates after the midnight. It is reported that there are over 50 villagers against the existence of the cell phone tower.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News