Narinjara news
MYANMAR TROOPS COLLECT TOLLS FROM
THE MONEY GIVEN TO THE POOR BY A FRENCH NGO
Buthidaung, 1st February 02: The recipients of the
monetary support from NGOs have been forced to pay back a chunk of their
subsistence allowance to the village leaders and the Myanmar troops, according
to a trader from Taungbazar market of Buthidaung in the northern part of Rakhine
State in the south-western part of Myanmar.
A Canadian official Ms Erin accompanied by three local staff of the French
NGO, ACF (Action contré la Faim),
went to Zidung-bedo village and Ngaraing-chhaung
village by a speedboat and distributed some money to the poorest people in the
area on
As soon as they left after their work, a platoon from Light Infantry Battalion
551 stationed at Taung-bazar battalion headquarter, Buthidaung township, and the local village headman came and
collected kyat 500 from each recipient as money needed for giving security (?)
to
the visiting ACF officials.
ACF is working in northern part of Rakhine State,
drilling wells and ponds (for drinking water) and also on food security
programme
(micro-credit, delivery of chickens and goats, small income generating projects
generally for widows or women who are head of families, elderly people and very
poor families). ACF is one of a number of international NGOs engaged in
the region.
The trader told our correspondent that, whenever NGO officials or the State
Peace and Development Council junta officials visit the area, the villagers
there are forced to pay tolls to the Burmese troops accompanying those persons
on security grounds, on the plea of having to spend in purchasing food and
drinks for themselves. #
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