ABSDF: Burmese Army Seizes Land Fro

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Media Release
August 20, 1998

Burmese Army Seizes Land from Farmers Without Compensation

Burmese Army units in Karen and Mon States in Burma, have begun
to confiscate land from farmers in order to grow food following a
decision by the Army to cut rations, according to farmers in the
area. 

Army Division 44 based in Thaton, Mon State, has already
confiscated some 10,000 acres of arable land from 20 villages
along the Thaton-Bilin Highway without any compensation. These
include the villages of Mayangone, Michaung Ai, Ziwin, Yeiwei and
Shwe Hla.

The Burmese Army informed its troops in July of an imminent cut
in the rations of rice, lentils and chillies. Soldiers have
subsequently been instructed to grow food in their own areas in
order to supplement the ration cut. 

ABSDF Foreign Affairs Secretary, Aung Naing Oo, said that
soldiers stationed in areas where they cannot grow rice or
lentils have been told to look for arable land in other areas.

"Although the Army claims it has plenty of food at their
disposal, the fact is that it's seizing land from farmers in
order to feed itself. This shows the military regime is
experiencing severe economic problems.

"The Army has said it will take action against commanders who
fail to grow their own crops. However, the only way for
commanders to grow their own crops is to seize cultivatable land
from farmers. This will only serve to further increase tensions
between the military and people in rural areas."

Since the beginning of August, troops from Light Infantry
Regiments 547, 548, 549 in Karen State confiscated 450 acres of
cultivatable land from farmers in Nabu district. 

"In this case, the Army has seized the land and is forcing
farmers to stay and grow rice for the them. Farmers living in
nearby areas are now extremely concerned about their land being
seized and also being forced to grow food for the Army," Aung
Naing Oo said.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front 

For more information please contact 01 253 9082, 01 654 4984.