Forced Labour Still Continuing in Northern Arakan

Buthidaung July, 9: Forced labour is still continuing in Arakan State of Western Burma. As part of SPDC’s design, the Commander of the Battalion No.565 of Burma Army in Buthidaung Township ordered the Rohingya villagers of Nan Ra Gon, San Nyin Way (Lambarbil-East) and Quendaung villages to construct a bridge on the “Dabruchaung River”, according to our correspondent.

On 12^th June 2003, the said army battalion commander called a meeting with the villagers, including VPDC Chairmen and Secretaries. In the meeting, he asked the participants, who had to affix their signatures and thumb impressions on blank paper sheets, to provide labour for the construction of the bridge, said a local VPDC member.

The commander warned the villagers of serious action in case of non-compliance. Accordingly, since 20^th June 2003, a total of 150 laborers, that is, 50 from each village, have been daily working on the construction site, he further said.

The bridge is 90 foot long and 12 foot wide. Besides forced labour, the villagers have to provide a total of 24 pillars, in the size of 13’x 3’, 10’x 3 and 7’x 3’, for the construction of the bridge, a source further added.

This forced labour is making the poor villagers more hapless and exhausted while forcing them to live on starvation diet, the source continued.

The poor villagers are engaged in the construction of the bridge, day in day out. The army is further threatening the villagers either to serve them or leave the country It is still not known how long the forced labour will be continuing in future, the source further said. #