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NLD Statement 96 (translation)



National League for Democracy
No:(97/B), West Shwegondine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

STATEMENT 96 (7/99)(translation)


1.  Residents of the villages of Gwe-gon, Tha-byei-kan, Taung-byone,
Kangyi, Zegan, Ye-ga-moe, Pyu-gan, Hta-nhaung-gaing, Moe-hnan-choun,
Phaung-galay, Auk-taw, Tha-man, Kyauntaing, Htan-pauk-kone, Sin-tai,
Koo-do-seik, Gaung-kwae, Lin-ban, Thu-nge-daw and other neighboring
villages are forced to dig for rocks from wherever and each household is
required to supply rock piles measuring 10'x10' and 1' high. These rocks
have then to be broken into pieces measuring 6 x 3 inches.  This is for
the construction of a 20-mile road connecting Ta-da-u and Myo-tha.  Work
commenced in June of this year.

2.  The Chairman of the township PDC specifically instructed the lesser
authorities that said road must be tarred and completed within the year
and until then everyone will be forced to give their labour. The phrase
" Loke-ah" (meaning forced labour) was to be substituted by the phrase "
Ko htuu, ko hta" (meaning self help). The village authorities are
complying with the instructions and continue in the demand for forced
labour.  In addition, residents of distant villages, residents of Number
1, 2, and 3 township territories, and the villages of Saga-in, Pan-ya,
Nga-zin-yaing, Zee-chaung, Ngaya-pya, Sin-kyone, Mee-thwe-thaik,
Kyone-htaik, Hanthawaddy, Zegyo, Ba-le-ka, Oke-kyut-pho and others were
summoned on the 3 July 1999 and forced to send one person from each
household (9 and 10 year old children included) to work providing their
daily sustenance themselves.

3.  Sections of the Myo-tha Ta-da-u road are allotted to separate
villages who have to be responsible for completion of the allotted
section. Elderly people who cannot work and households where no one is
available for the task are required to pay Kyats 200/- per day.

4.  Currently, about 1000 villagers are required to scoop out the earth
where the road is to be constructed (each household digging an area of
12' x 3' to a depth of 9").  This rough road is to be completed in 6
days.  Those who cannot join the work gang have to pay Kyats 1200/- at
the rate of Kyats 600/- per day.

5.  Though the authorities have announced to the world that "forced
labour" has been stopped, the grim truth is that the villagers and
farmers and workers are still being made to work notwithstanding foul
weather and tough conditions. Inability to do tasks assigned results in

exorbitant penalties, which has people truly confused.

6. The actions of the authorities are diametrically opposed to their
words and the top doesn't match the bottom. Walking like a blind man,
ignoring the plight of the people, having the sole desire to accomplish
according to one's imagination and creating heavier burdens for the
people -- this is denounced in the strongest terms.


Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
15 July 1999.


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