NLD Statement 31 in English

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

National League for Democracy
NO (97/B), West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon

Statement No: 31(2/99)


1.	For the embankment of  Kayan creek situated below the villages of  
A-ley-ywa and Pa-gan-taung in Kayan and Thanlyin townships, respectively 
every household in the village tracts of (1) Ta-man-gyi, (2) Kyone-two, 
(3) Yo-gyi, (4) Ma-gyi-gan, (5) Pein-kan, (6) Hla-be-lu, (7) A-ley-ywa, 
(8) Aye-ywa, (9) Swe-ka-taw was forced to dig one and a half pits (total 
6,000 approximately) between the 10th and 15th December, 1998. In 
default, payment to the authorities of between Kyats seven hundred and 
fifty to one thousand five hundred had to be made. We have heard that 
this demand continues despite the completion of the project.

2.	For the embankment of Kin-mon-chone creek near Kin-mon-chone village 
(Kayan township) every household in the village tracts of (1) 
Pyin-ma-gone, (2) Kyi-ni-chaung, (3) Kyone-kan, (4) Nyaung-bin-thar, (5) 
Zee-byu-bin, (6) Kin-mon-chone was forced to dig 2 pits (total 3,000 
pits) between the 12th and 15th December 1998. In default, payment to 
the authorities of Kyats one thousand to one thousand five hundred had 
to be made.

3.	For the embankment of Sae-ma creek situated close to Pauk-pin village 
(Kayan township), every household in the villages of (1) Ka-ma-ka-loo, 
(2) Ka-mar-mat, (3) Maung-ma, (4) Paukpin, (5) Ka-ma-pa-kaw, (6) Oke-po, 
(7) Mak-ka-than, (8) Kyu-taw, (9) Jone-jone-jya, was forced to dig 2 
pits (total 10,000 pits) between the 27th to the 31st December 1998. In 
default, payment of one thousand two hundred to one thousand five 
hundred Kyats was demanded.

4.	The existing embankment ( which was constructed with machines) to 
prevent permeation of salt water on the eastern margin of Kayan township 
having deteriorated, forced labour had to be given by one member of 
every household in the village tracts of (1) Pa-ya-pyo, (2) Kyar-kan, 
(3) Nyaung-larn, (4) Ohn-bin, (5) Sin-minn-aing, (6) Kan-tha, (7) 
Sa-kan-gyi, (8) Pa-lu, (9) Aung-chan-thar, (10) Bo-lay, (11) Ye-kyaw. 
Regardless of rain or sun they were forced to work on this project 
throughout the months of August and September 1998. In default, a 
penalty of Kyats three hundred was demanded.

5.	The above proves that the denials by the authorities of the practice 
of forced labour and payments for default are false.

6.	The villagers from whom such forced labour and penalties are demanded 
are undergoing tremendous hardship and suffering much more under the 

strain of the existing climate of rising costs. Therefore, we ask that 
the above practice be immediately halted nationwide.


Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
23 February 1999







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