FORCED LOGGING FOR NEW ARMY BASE ( Kao-Wao ) January 22, 2003

FORCED LOGGING FOR NEW ARMY BASE

(Based on IMNA, January 22, 2003) - Kao Wao

Civilians from Mon State were ordered to collect lumber for the construction of a battalion of the Burma Army in their area.

In January, reported the IMNA Mon News group from the Thailand Burma border, Anin and Htin-Yuu (Kwan Proi) villages of Thanbyu Zayat Township were forced to cut down trees and saw it into 280 tons of lumber, which will be used to construct a new artillery regiment No. 315.

The local witness said Anin and Htin-Yuu villages were busy cutting logs after receiving an order from the authorities in early January. "The order we received from the village headmen said we need to cut down trees from our areas and saw it into lumber. If we don’t provide this amount, then we have to buy it, 280 tons in total required by the army”, a villager said.

"Because of this order, if we can’t buy lumber from other places, we have to cut all of our rubber plantation trees,” protested another villager.

According to the IMNA source, Mon farmers need to find laborers and hire the equipment needed for the logs and pay for all expenses. For those who have to buy lumber from the outside, they have to pay 200, 000 Kyat per ton.

The villagers complained this is the first time that they have had to provide lumber to the authorities and the Burmese Army under force.