NLD Statement 168 (11/99) translate

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: NLD Statement 168 (11/99) translated

NLD Statement 168 (11/99)


1.  We have received information that in the months of July and August
of 1999, a total of 77 cows had to be supplied to the army by 36 village 
tracts in Man-aung township of Arakan State (72 cows at 2 per village tract 
and  5 cows by the wards in the town) at the price of  20,000 kyats per cow 
though the real value was 50,000 kyats. Our information is that the village 
authorities misappropriated the money for themselves and the owners received 
nothing. The residents were most disgruntled and though reports were made in 
the matter to the respective departments, nothing has been done.

2. One captain Han Kyi drove into a house in Thama village with the
vehicle  he was driving and instantly killed a pregnant mother and her
two children. Her 8 year old son received serious injuries.  No action
has been taken against the perpetrator but the boy has been relocated to Ahn 
township.  The residents of the locality are greatly aggrieved.

3. During the months of July, August, September and October of 1999,
soldiers from the army units stationed at Gau and Thama villages
exploited the residents by forcing them illegally to regularly supply
rice, chicken, pigs, goats, cows, fish, prawns and all kinds of
foodstuff.  Village maidens who went out collecting firewood or
vegetables were forcibly raped without their consent and when reports
were made no action whatsoever was taken against the offenders.

4.  We have heard that in Myan-aung township, for the construction of an 
irrigation canal embankment near Khone village and another in Za-la-pyin 
village  all residents of the villages in the township had to supply forced 
labour.  In addition they were forced to pay  money.  A total of ten million 
eight hundred thousand kyats was collected from 36 village groups (three 
hundred thousand from each group).  The workers were not released till 
completion of the project.

5. A payment of at least Kyats five hundred has to be made before any
complaint is entertained.

6. Sellers of prawns have to supply free of charge prawns that fetch a
price of Kyats 7000/- per viss to the army and the Military Intelligence No: 
(10) stationed at Myanaung township. Motor vehicles have to be supplied on a 
daily basis for transportation of army personnel.  The front compartment of 
busses is reserved for the army.  Even monks are not given that preference.

7. Only one doctor is posted at the Man-aung hospital.  When he is
absent on other duties, the people are left unattended and suffer much
agony.  Minimum required for any surgery is  Kyats ten thousand. One
Maung Khin Maung Yee (age 25) from a village in the proximity of Pankyan 
Chaung had purchased the required medicines but was unable to pay the fees 
for surgery so he died.

8.  We denounce these illegal practices and exploitation of the people
in distant regions like Man-aung by the authorities, as shown above. We urge 
that the health and advancement of the people be especially
attended to.


26 November 1999.



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