Buthidaung: The Burmese military authority has plans to move 600 Burmese Buddhist families from Burma proper to Buthidaung Township in Arakan to settle in model villages that are currently under construction in the area, reports a source close to the authority.

"They are reportedly coming to our township before Burmese new year in April 2010 from Rangoon and other parts of Burma to settle in five model villages. The authority is currently constructing the five model villages in the southern part of Buthidaung," the source said.

Five model villages are being constructed on the banks of the Mayu River between Phon Nyo Lake and Ngwe Daung Village in Buthidaung Township. Ngwe Daung Village is located on the western bank of the Mayu River and is close to northern Rathidaung Township about 20 miles north of Sittwe.

A villager from the area said, "The authority has constructed 120 houses as well as a primary school and a hospital in each model village. The authority is likely to place 120 families in each model village."

Burmese military authorities are now forcibly rounding up Burmese people who are homeless and living in illegal areas in Rangoon and Mandalay to settle in Buthidaung Township.

According to a report by the VOA Burmese section, Burmese authorities recently reported that 500 Burmese families living in an illegal area on Mudita Road in North Okkalarpa in the former capital Rangoon will be moved to settle in Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships in Arakan.

The authority told the families that if any family did not wish to move to Buthidaung and Maungdaw, the family would need sign a form, the report added.

Burmese military authorities have long supported Burmese settlers by providing agricultural land, cattle, and tractors when they arrive at the model villagers. The authority also arranges schools, hospitals, and monasteries for them from government revenue.

In northern Arakan State, there are currently over 40 model villages built by the military authority with over 20,000 settlers living in the villages. The military authority constructs the Buddhist model villages in northern Arakan in an effort to adjust the balance of the population between Buddhists and Muslims.

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