Narinjara news

CONFISCATION OF LAND FOR BURMESE JUNTA’S MODEL VILLAGES

Mungdaw, 16 Apr. 02: The Burmese State Peace and Development Council junta have been confiscating privately owned land in the border townships of Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Buthidaung of Arakan (Rakhine) State, in the western part of Burma, according to our correspondent.

On 1^st April 02, Mayaka Township Peace and Development Council Chairman of Maungdaw, Captain Hla Paw and his group called at U Thein Tun, the leader of Payrung model village and took him to the east of the village. There they surveyed 135 acres of hilly area owned by local neighbouring villagers. Afterwards the group confiscated the land and distributed it among the residents of Payrung model village.

The confiscated area of land will be distributed after the traditional Thaung-gran New Year festival that ends on 17^th April by casting lots among the mostly Burman residents of the model village.

There are now more than thirty such model villages in the three townships which are occupied mostly by settlers brought in from Burma proper. The residents of the villages are released hardcore criminals, HIV patients, drug addicts, and retired military personnel.

The establishment of Na-a-fa model villages in the area has raised a lot of concern among the inhabitants of the townships since they now face rise in crime rates and spread of HIV among the local population.

Besides wholesale settlement of Burman population is also a threat to the ethnic balance of the area. #