The plight of Thameekalay villagers
Published on Thursday, 03 April 2014 18:42
Written by Win Htut
The displaced villagers from Thameekalay village prepare to follow the DKBA on April 1. (Photo Thet Min)
The ongoing plight of evicted Thameekalay villagers has raised doubts over Myanmar's democratic standards of government.
On the early morning of February 4, police and local authorities forcefully evicted residents of Thameekalay village in Hlegu Township. They had been living there for over 30 years but the official line was that the land belonged to the army.
Having lost their homes, the villagers took temporary refuge at Aung Theidi Monastery in Bago Region. Again, the authorities pressured them to leave by issuing several warnings. Even when they went along with the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) after being offered shelter and land, the police stopped them on the way.
The residing monk of the monastery who helped the villagers was told on April 1 that his monastery fell into an area owned by the Irrigation Department and so he needed to move.
IN THE BEGINNING
Hlegu township authorities released a notice on January 31 that Thameekalay Village, located in the Sar Bu Down village tract, was on military-owned land and they wanted it to build three defence service schools. The whole village was wiped out in a raid on the morning of February 4.
"When we cried from seeing them destroy our houses, the police said they were sorry too. They had to follow orders. They said they knew nothing. But I prayed for them not to suffer like us," said Ma Phyu among the debris of her house on that day.
TEMPORARY SHELTER
After being evicted, Thameekalay villagers sought temporary shelter at Aung Theidi Monastery near the Alaini dam in Bago Region. They stayed in makeshift tents and survived with the food offered by donors.
However, local authorities released several notices pressuring the villagers to leave the monastery. On February 6, Thameekalay villagers asked the authorities to allow them to continue taking shelter at the monastery until their children finished final exams for the school year.
ORGIN OF THE VILLAGE
Concerning the forced removal of the villagers, MP Phyo Min Thein for Hlegu Township, who is with the National League for Democracy (NLD), said that Thameekalay Village only came into existence last year. A public debate ensued over how long the village has been in existence.
Although there were disagreements between local residents and the authorities, a stone inscription on the nearby Lagunpyin Dam project dated November 28, 2000 says that the village existed when the dam was built.
DKBA FULFILLING THE NEEDS OF VILLAGERS
Colonel Saw Hsan Aung of Democratic Karen Buddhist Army came to offer the displaced villagers from Thameekalay village accommodation and employment in Kayin State on February 15. All the while the IDPs waited for an official response from the government. None was forthcoming.
Then suddenly in mid-March MP Hla Than of Hlegu Township Constituency No 2 told Eleven Media on February 21 that land plots would be provided to 175 displaced families near Waryagone village in Hlegu Township. Some displaced villagers took up the offer and moved to Waryagone village on March 27.
A SITUATION BEYOND IMPROVEMENT
On March 29, two days after moving to Waryagone village, some 64 displaced families refused the new plots offered by the government because they did not include title deeds. Moreover, the authorities failed to live up to their promise of providing construction materials and water as well as power supply.
The villagers then returned to stay at Aung Theikdhi Monastery on the same day and decided to follow the DKBA who came to fetch them for a second time.
VILLAGERS AND DKBA STOPPED
Some 200 displaced villagers hoping for land plots and employment left Bago Region at about 4 am on April 2 and were stopped entering Kayin State under orders of the regional minister for security at the Donthami River crossing at about 1 pm, according to officials of the DKBA.
"Our convoy was stopped and not allowed to continue by the order of Kayin State's Minister for Security and Border Affairs and the Chief Minister. Colonel Saw Hsan Aung and officials of the DKBA are still making negotiation. The current situation looks very complicated," said U Agga of Aung Theikdhi Monastery.
"The convoy is not allowed to enter Kayin State. We don't know why. The government and the DKBA are making discussions about that. All are still on the bridge," captain Saw Win Zaw of the DKBA told Eleven Media.
CONSEQUENCES
Suddenly the Irrigation Department issued an announcement that Aung Theikdhi Monastery would move because it is situated inside the area of Alineni dam.
"I was sent a letter at about 7 pm yesterday. The letter said the location of the monastery was inside the area of the dam owned by the Irrigation Department. The letter was signed by the staff officer of the Irrigation Department and the name was not seen," said U Agga.
Regarding the sending of the letter, I tried to contact Bago Region's Irrigation Department, but the phone did not reply, added the presiding monk.
Lower House MP Khine Maung Yi said that the displacement of Thameekalay villagers is a sign that the dictatorship is still alive and well. The human rights and citizen rights should be taken into consideration. The Union government must have the right to wisely control those at regional and state levels. If not, the people will only end up turning on the government.
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/the-plight-of-thameekalay-villagers/
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