Farmers protest against land grabbing in Bago Region

Farmers protest against land grabbing in Bago Region

Published on Monday, 02 September 2013 20:30

Some 20 farmers protested for a second time against land grabbing in Bago town on August 31 demanding compensation for lands confiscated by the authorities. 

The protesting farmers gathered on Saturday morning at Thiri Hantha Hall, Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Bago and then marched to Leikpyarkan in downtown Bago. Many claimed lands had been unfairly confiscated by the authorities to build the Bago City Extension Project and Industrial Project in Bago.

"Land grabbing causes us much suffering. We would like the chief minister Nyan Win to deal with these land grabbing issues. Five acres of garden land were confiscated and I only got back only five plots of land, each measuring 25x40 feet. It was much less if compared to my loss. I hope for fair compensation," said Yan Paing Soe, one of the protesters.

This is the second protest over land grabbing in Bago. The first was held on July 16 this year. Of the protestors a number were arrested under the Section 505 (B) that specifies jail terms for up to two years and hefty fines for offending the state. 

Win Cho, Yan Paing Soe, Lay Naing Oo, Bon Bon, Maung Maung Htay, Han Lin Aung and Sein Min remain in custody facing charges. 

"We have been farming for 20 years despite not having receipt voucher. Now the authorities ordered us to vacate our lands and gave back a land plot measuring only 25x40 feet. This land plot is not enough for us to make a living. I would like the government to create us a kind of livelihood," said San Thaung, one of the protesters.

 

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/farmers-protest-against-land-grabbing-in-bago-region/