Thousands of acres confiscated for Mongnai-Kengtung railroad

Local villagers reported that over a thousand acres of public land and farms were forcibly taken away by junta authorities for the construction of a rail-road project between the eastern Shan state township of Kengtung and the southern Shan state township of Mongnai.

Railroad construction in Kengtung

The reported land and farms were said to be owned by villagers from Keng Phawng, Na Kham and Keng Kham villages, said a local resident who asked not to be named.

However, the reporter has not been able to get access to get the exact acreage of the seized lands. But almost all of the lands and farms near the project were said to be confiscated, she said.

But villagers were not given any compensation for their losses. “Just some of those villagers who dared to go to the authorities were given some money back as compensation. But it was not much.”

“But most villagers are afraid to ask because they cannot speak Burmese very well. So they just stay silent,” she added. The seized lands were reported as carrots and flowers lands.

The proposed railroad project is expected to pass through Langkher, Mongpan, Mongton, Monghsat, Mongkok and Mongphyak.
On 16 February, Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the Ministry of Defense visited Kengtung for inspection of the project areas, according to New Light of Myanmar.

It is now reported to have been under the construction. And its railway station is also being constructed between Keng Phawng and Na Kham villages, near Kengtung University, on the highway to Taunggyi, Southern Shan State.

A local businessman Sai Tip Awn is said to have been contracted for the station building, said another villager from Keng Phawng.

His vehicles are now reported to have been carrying materials for the building, bought from Thailand. The total number of his trucks at the work sites are over 15, he said.

In addition, another new rail bridge to cross over the Thanlwin (Salween) will also be constructed very soon, near Tasang Bridge, which is only for motor use.

Initially, the authorities planned to construct between Kengtung and Namzang, Shan State South. Regional commanders themselves came to inspect areas in 2008. But the authorities have been silent about the project since.

Source :http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2952:thousands-of-acres-confiscated-for-mongnai-kengtung-railroad-&catid=87:human-rights&Itemid=285