Land grab report targets better ways to resolve disputes

The special report will discuss farmland disputes, including the Thilawa Port Project and Migyaungkan evictions and suggest ways to solve these disputes. 

“The current methods have been found ineffective in solving land grabs. I would like the concerned organisations to use better ways. The report is not meant for a single person or organisation. The report has been fairly written for both sides,” said Khine Maung Yi.

The report deals with three categories of land confiscation: land grabbed by the armed forces, land grabbed by the state for urbanisation and industrial projects, and land grabbed by private companies. 

Parliament has already been notified about all the cases involving state-led industrial or urbanisation projects. The commission has already received 745 complaints of land grabs covering about 512,205 acres. 

To be able to address these issues, the president sent a message to parliament urging MPs and the administration to work together. 

The fourth part of the report will be presented at the 10th session of parliament. There has so far been no effort on the part of the national or local governments to return land grabbed from original owners, according to MPs. – MYANMAR ELEVEN

 

Fire incidents on the rise, report shows

A total number of 841 fire incidents were recorded in the first four months of 2014, mostly caused by human errors. 

According to a report from the Fire Services Department, from total fire cases, 297 were caused by human errors. Among the rest, 229 were related to cooking activities, 142 electrical sparks and 92 were suspected arson. 

The report also showed that the number of fire cases has increased month-by-month in Yangon region, Kachin state, Kayah state, Kayin state, Chin state, Sagaing region, Taninthayi region, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago region, Magway region, Mon state, Rakhine state and Ayeyawady region. The number of fire cases rose from 17 in January, 176 in February and 267 in March to 221 in April. 

During the first four months, Yangon region and Sagaing region had the most fires break out, with 117 cases.

Fire Service officers said 2,041 buildings, three factories and 50 warehouses across the country were destroyed. In addition, 36 people died and 8,034 were injured, and more than US$30 million in losses were reported.

In the same period last year, Myanmar reported 929 building fires and more than US$29 million in damage.

In another development, it was reported that Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar, encountered 105 fire cases in the period, resulting in the death of one person, according to the Mandalay Region Fire Services Department. 

Official figures showed that negligence was one of the key causes for 45 fires, which outnumbered other causes during the period.

There were also 12 arsons in the region during the period, according to the figures.

The fires caused one death and destroyed 168 houses, leaving 543 homeless and 13 injured.

April was the most hazardous month with 42 fires during the period, compared with other months. February and March encountered 24 fires each, and there were 15 fires in January.

This year’s figures shows a significant drop compared with that of the previous year (2013), which saw 135 fires in the region, killing four people and leaving six injured. Last year’s fires destroyed 1,585 homes and 13 factories. – MYANMAR ELEVEN

 

KIA’s forced recruitment brings protest

About 25 parents of people forcefully recruited by the Kachin rebel army stated a protest in front of Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) office in Myitkyina, Kachin state, on May 13.

The protest took place on the same day when the government and the KIO convened a peace talk meeting. “My son was recruited while he was selling blankets in Phakant, said those who witnesses it. Since then, I have heard nothing from him. I don’t know he is still alive or dead,” said Than Hlaing, from Sarlingyi township in Sagaing region.

Maj-General Gwan Maw of the Kachin Independence Army met with protestors after the peace talks. At the meeting he pledged that those forcefully recruited would be released as quickly as possible. 

“My son is 23 years old. While he was working at a gold mine in Malikha, he was recruited. Maj-Gen Gwan Maw asked us that if there’s any wrongdoing at the bottom level, he will correct it as best as he can,” said Kyaw Win from Knndaw in Sagaing region.