Dated:
Maungdaw, August 15: On
On July 23, the Western Command Commander Brigdadier Maung Oo came to Buthidaung by navy on July 23,
and held a meeting in Utthama Hall with Buthidaung
Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman and other TPDC members,
army officers, military intelligence personnel, other concerned authorities and
some local elite and politicians.
The meeting discussed about the
local situation and appointment of representative for procurement of paddy from
The following day on July 24, the
Western Commander proceeded to
The paddy procurement
representatives have been assigned to collect the paddy from the villagers of
both townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung for the years of 2003 to 04.
According to the Commander the villagers are bound to sell 95 per cent of their
overall production to the purchasing centers at a price to be fixed later, which
is believed to be much lower to the open market rate, he further said.
Previously, The SPDC announced
the scrapping of its 40-year old paddy procurement policy. According to Lt Ge Soe Win, all nationals can trade rice in the country
freely at the prevailing market prices, said Lt.Gen.
Soe Win.
The Rohingyas who attended the
meetings requested for the appointment of Rohingya representatives, Rohingya
being majority people of the cities, but it was flatly rejected by the
Commander accusing the Rohingyas of non-nationals not fit for representatives,
said a participant. ##
E-mail: [email protected]