Soldiers Commandeer Paddy Fields in Arakan State

[Zomi for Federalization and Democratization of Bur]

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In Burma, the Brutal Bamar Buddhist Fascist Mercenary Terrorist Rapist
(BBBFMTR) Army is ABOVE the law, and they can do whatever they want
to, even illegally. There is no RULE of law in Burma. The quasi-
civilian government of Nga Thein Sein is just that -- quasi. The
BBBFMTR Government is a pro-military, pro-dictatorial, pro-fascist,
anti-democratic, human rights-violating government. They do nothing
for the benefit of the poor. They rob and steal.
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Soldiers Commandeer Paddy Fields in Arakan State

By NYEIN NYEIN / THE IRRAWADDY| November 16, 2012 |


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Photo:
SZ-161112-Arakan.jpg

Army personnel and their families harvest paddy from a field
commandeered from local farmers in Arakan State. (Photo: Rakhine
Straight Views)
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A Burmese army battalion has forced the owners of 132 acres of paddy
field in Arakan State off of their land, warning them they would be
shot if they resisted.

According to local sources, Col Ba Nyar Win, commander of Light
Infantry Battalion 539 based in Kyauktaw Township, ordered farmers in
the villages of Prein Chaung and Outapyin to hand over their land and
then removed all of the ripened paddy in military trucks.

“The battalion commander and around 70 soldiers threatened us and told
us to leave without taking any of our harvested crop,” said a local
farmer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“They said they would shoot us if we didn’t get off the land in 10
minutes,” he added. There were about 30 farmers harvesting the paddy
when the incident occurred last Thursday.

For three days after commandeering the fields, which are owned by 28
farmers, the families of soldiers serving in the battalion harvested
the remaining paddy under armed guard.

The farmers said they sent a letter of complaint to the authorities,
including President Thein Sein, the chief minister of Arakan State and
other state ministers.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Friday, Arakan State Agriculture and
Irrigation Minister Kyaw Thein said he was inspecting the case and
will reach a decision within days.

“We will look at both sides. Both the battalion commander and the
farmers claim they own the farmland,” said Kyaw Thein, vowing to make
a fair judgment.

Kyaw Thein said that around half of the total crop had already been
harvested. “We told them not to take the remaining paddy until the
dispute is settled,” he said.

At a meeting with the farmers and military personnel on Thursday, the
minister promised to resolve the matter within five days.



http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/19074
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