November 11 (NMG) ­ Sixty houses in Tamu on the bank of Indo-Burma border were ordered the Chairman of Tamu District Peace and Development Council to relocate within fifty days so as to construct the bridge across the stream. people were asked ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 Kyats to get a new plot to rebuild their homes, local peoples from Tamu said.

“Three members of local authorities came to our house and demanded money to get a new plot for houses. Some people do not have house number but some have. There are 39 houses who already have house numbers and the rest 19 houses do not have their house numbers. Authorities charged 10,000 Kyats each from who have house numbers and 3,000 Kyats for who does not have house number. If somebody wants a good location, they have to pay 10,000 Kyats as extra money,” one local youth from Hna-hmwar-sone quarter said.

Fifty-eitght households who are currently living Hna-hmwar-sone (also called Sandaku) quarter No (1) that situated between Tamu and Nant-Phar-Lon market were ordered to relocate to the south of current location by Chairman of Tamu District Peace and Development Council, Maj. Maung Maung Aye.

Though peoples in this area own their homes traditionally through past generations, the authorities say it is an order that they must move from their homes.

“Some of these households have to depend on their domestic gardens in this area. These peoples suffer most. But they don’t have any choice because of authorities said it is an order from government to relocate within 50 days from the 7th of this month. Authorities also said if we are not moving home, they may use force to relocate us,” a local people from Tamu said.

Nant-Phar-Lon market in Tamu becomes an important location for Indo-Burma trade since the opening of official border trade between two countries.

Previously businessmen have to enter slightly into India’s soil as the bridge was owned by both countries. The bridge going to be constructed will be well inside Burma and people do not need to cross India in order to reach Nant-Phar-Lon market from Tamu.

Network Media Group