[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
NLD Statement 15 in English
National League for Democracy
NO (97/B), West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon
Statement NO: 15
1. In Mindon township of Magwe Division, (since 1996), though the
digging of irrigation canals was done by contract, because of shortage
of funds, the people of the area were forced to dig 200-500 pits per
village at the rate of Kyats 70 per pit. Not having the expertise
themselves, they had to hire others at the rate of Kyats 200. We have
received this information.
2. The township authorities continued with this forced labour practice
in 1997. The rain washed away the banks that were built in 1996 and 1997
and the work did not reach completion even into 1998. Because the
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council was scheduled to
inspect the works sometime during the year, they were instructed to
complete sowing the summer paddy crop by the month of April. A labour
force of approximately 2000 people from 100 villages with 100 pairs of
cows were forced to reinforce the embankments, pump water with water
pumps, plough the fields and transplant seedlings which had to be
fetched from Aunglan and Pwintbhyu townships.
3. Houses by the roads which was on the scheduled route of the Chairman
of the SPDC had to be either white-washed or coated with earth oil and
weeds and wild plants had to be cleared. Fines were imposed on villages
where such instructions were not followed out as per schedule. This is
contained in the reports that have come to us.
4. It cost the cultivators Kyats 3500/- per acre for the water pumped
into their fields in preparation for the visit of the Chairman of the
SPDC but his visit was cancelled and since that time water supply was
cut. The farmers had to arrange for their own water and reap their own
crops for which the authorities took no responsibility. This has caused
great hardship to the farmers who have had to sell their buffaloes, cows
and other properties to survive. In addition, there was not much success
with the crops cultivated through these means resulting in even greater
loss.
5. In Mindon township, a winter crop (1998-1999) of split peas for the
army had to be sold at the rate of 3 baskets per acre at a very low
price of Kyats 150/- per basket. This had to be fulfilled without regard
of crop failures due to pests and other causes.
6. We denounce in the strongest terms this imposition of forced labour,
unjust demands for cultivation of paddy in the summer, and forced sale
of crops that is happening to the cultivators in Mindon township. We
urge the appropriate authorities to take measures to relieve the
sufferings and hardships of the farmers.
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
26 January 1999
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com