KALADAN NEWS

Dated: Tuesday December 30, 2003

26 DWELLING HOUSES DESTROYED BY SPDC AUTHORITIES IN NORTHERN ARAKAN

Maungdaw, December 30: On December 27, 2003, the SPDC authorities destroyed 26 dwelling houses of Myo Ma Kayan Dan (Shikdar Para) village of Maungdaw Town in Arakan State, according to our correspondent.

On that day, the Maungdaw Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman Captain Hla Pho accompanied by police, Loon Htin(militant police), Nasaka ( Border Security Force), about 200 with full arms and ammunition went to the said village at around 10:00 AM and started destroying the houses. The Tactical Operation Commander (TOC) No.1 headquarters from Buthidaung Township also supervised the operation, he further added.

The armed groups blocked the Maungdaw- Buthidaung road and Maungdaw-Alay Sankyaw road till 3:00 pm and destroying all the 26 dwelling houses. Some village youths resisted, while the militants groups attacked and destroying the houses. But, later on, the youths withdrew from their resistance and two youths were arrested by the Nasaka and were carried away to their camp. The fate of the two youths is still unknown, said a villager, whose house was destroyed, referring not to mention his name.

On December 12, 2003, regarding this village matter, District Peace and development Council (DPDC) Chairman called a meeting with some villagers including the Myoma Mosque’s Imam (religious leader), the Chairman and Secretary of Islam Religious Council of Maungdaw Township, Chairman of Ulema Association, the Chairman and Secretary of Myanmar Muslim National Affairs at his office including TPDC Chairman. He asked in the meeting that it is very important for the government to build a “ meeting hall” in the place of the said uprooted village of Myoma Kayan Dan Village. So, you all were requested to pursue the villagers to vacate the houses, he further said.

According to the DPDC Chairman’s advice, the next day, the attendants of the meeting went to that village and asked the villagers to evacuate the houses. But, the villagers didn’t comply with their verdict, said a participant of the meeting.

But, Lt. Col. Soe Htwe, DPDC Chairman of Maungdaw District collected Kyat 20,000 per head from the attendants of the meeting and some agents of SPDC for the villagers to give them as compensation. The authority also promised to provide compensation and alternative site for the uprooted villagers, he further added.

But, on 14th December 2003, the TPDC Chairman Captain Hla Pho went to Sittwe, the Capital of Arakan State to seek further advice from Western Command Commander. Before leaving Sittwe, he told the villagers that he would give order again after his arrival from Sittwe. So, the villagers were awaiting further instruction of TPDC Chairman with great suspiciously and sadly.

After arriving from Sittwe, the TPDC Chairman went to the said village on 27th December 2003, with armed forces to destroy all the 26 houses.

The SPDC authorities have been trying to evacuate these dwelling houses since 2002.

On December 11, 2003, local women and students have foiled an attempt to destroy this village by the SPDC authorities.