NLD Statement 22(English)

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

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

Statement NO: 22(2/99)

1. The following information has been received by us from concerned and 
interested parties in Twante township, Rangoon Division.
The ancient Da-noke Pagoda in Ya-khine-gyaung, Twante township has been 
under reparation and restoration since for about 8 years under the 
auspices of the relevant authorities. Around the pagoda the model 
village of Da-noke was then built.

2. Commencing from that time, on the pretext of safeguarding the pagoda, 
the Infantry Battalion No: 71 stationed at the Twante placed a section 
led by a captain  in the vicinity of pagoda. Presently, one Sergeant Tin 
Win is in charge of that section. Also, a police outpost is placed 
there.

3. Since five years ago, (claiming  " security of the pagoda" as the 
reason) conscription of villagers from the neighbouring villages such as 
(1) Yakhine-gyaung (south), (2) Yakhine-gyaung(north), (3) Tone-tin-kan 
(south), (4) Tone-tin-kan (north), (5) Shan-kan, (6) Taung-gyaung, (7) 
Thet-kae-gwin, (8) A-noe-gyaung, (9) Koe-daung, (10) Sut-chaung, (11) 
Po-phyu-gyaung, (12) Lade-gon and others had been made to perform sentry 
duties. Four villagers from each of four villages a day, making a total 
of sixteen are rostered. Even where a household consists of females only 
there is no exemption.

4. These rostered people are made to collect firewood and carry water 
for the soldiers in the day without rest periods and if they happen to 
doze off while on sentry duty at night they are beaten and maltreated. 
In the month of January 1998, one U Aye Kyine who was on sentry duty at 
this place died as a result of being crushed under a branch from the old 
tree in this place. The army took no responsibility.

5. Consequently, the villagers became afraid to perform sentry duties 
and were then exempted on payment of Kyats two hundred per person.

6. This provided a good opportunity for army unit stationed in this area 
to claim Kyats three thousand two hundred daily (16 persons x 200 = 
3200) from the rostered individuals.

7. In these villages, according to the system, each household is 
rostered for sentry duties twice monthly which requires them to pay 
Kyats four hundred per month. The  villagers are experiencing great 
hardship to pay this levy because of the very high cost  of living that 
is being experienced today.


8. The meritorious deed of restoration of the Danoke Pagoda has become 
an object of great demerit within a period of five years. The National 
League for Democracy strongly denounces the use of a religious precinct 
to satisfy the greed of  military personnel who by unfair practices the 
use of a religious precinct to satisfy the greed of military personnel 
who by unfair practices exploit the poor villagers, We urge the 
authorities in charge to immediately take appropriate action.


Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
15 February 1999





























































______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com