Narinjara News, 23 July 2022

The Myanmar military council has insisted a village under Thandwe township, located at southern part ofRakhine State, to shift as it is allegedlyoccupying army-owned land.

Thephyu Chai Jaithar (Pon Nyet) village near the sea beach with  50 house-holds (around 300 population offishermen) faces the eviction noticefrom the authorities by today itself.

The villagers claimed that they have been living there since long back and the army authority is nowpressuring them to vacate the place as theland belongs to the navy dive and rescue corps.

According to the village administrator, the  navy dive and rescue corps  asked them to leave theirvillage by 23  July, but the villagersare not agreeing to it. Now the authorities are planning to
move everyone by 15 September next.

"Now we have two more months before leaving this place. We are facing problems because of rainy days. Ourappeal is to extend the dateline a littlebit,” said a villager.

The villagers have been asked to move to the top of Asein Ma mountain, which is about five  miles away from the presentlocation, but the authorities havenot extended any financial support to them

Moreover, there is no school for the children, no drinking water, lack of healthcare facilities and also faraway from the sea where they haveto go for fishing activities and hence the villagers are reluctant to move the place.

Since  January this year, the authorities have sent notices at least five times asking the villagers to leave the place as thegovernment is planning for an importantproject there.