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NLD Statement 45/2000:

National League for Democracy
No: (97/B), West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

Statement 45 (4/00) (translation)

1. Information received about conditions prevailing in the Model Peaceful Myothit, Oke-pho township , Tharrawaddy District, Pegu Division is as follows:-

2. Twelve years ago when people were relocated to the Model Peaceful Myothit they were promised 1 acre of land per household for cultivation. Actually only one third of that population was granted that amount of land.

3. The rest of the land has been claimed as belonging to the PDC and given to armed forces officers, soldiers, members of the village and ward PDCs, Land Record clerks, office clerks, retired armed forces personnel, members of the UDSA, members of the police force. Some agricultural land claimed by the PDC has been sublet to cultivators for return of 15 baskets paddy per acre.

4. Also, the "duty-paddy" that has to be sold to the government is fixed at the rate of 8 baskets of paddy per acre at Kyats 30,000/-per 100 baskets. Because the paddy has been exposed to unseasonal rain, discoloration has resulted and U Win Sein, (Controller at the Purchasing Center) is demanding cash at the rate of Kyats 70,000 per 100 baskets. Captain Khin Win (Controller of Model Peaceful Myothit) and U Win Sein have threatened the cultivators with severe action if cash is not paid, we are told. Instead of applying the usual equivalent (46 lbs = 1 basket) for the accepted paddy (not discoloured), the equation has been changed to 56 lbs = 1 basket.

5. Though it is now twelve years since the creation of this model town, only the main Aye-ya road has electric street lights. All the other roads have no lights and in the rainy season many problems arise. Paddy that has to be given allegedly for the development of the town has been used for the development of a group of people only. The armed forces personnel who form the governing body of the town have their own interests at heart and have entirely disregarded the interests of other people. There is no authority to oversee the self-serving masters. The populace of this model town is having to suffer in silence.

6. This system of administration where little masters are despots in their little colonies with the ability to do what they like to enrich themselves is highly undesirable. We condemn this lawless state of affairs and call for change.

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
4 April 2000