Border clashes with RSO militants

The clashes occurred when RSO rebels reportedly tried to  entered Myanmar territory on the morning of May 28 at post 52 on the Myanmar-Bangladeshi border.

An army section led by Lieutenant Zaw Moe Aung in charge of border security was on patrol when two insurgents crossed the border and approached within 80 feet of the barbed-wire border fence.

A man wearing yellow camouflage was killed and his M22 rifle, four magazines, 98 bullets were confiscated while the others fled back into Bangladesh. 

Myanmar has long accused Bangladesh for providing sanctuary to militant organisations intent on carrying out attacks on Myanmar soil. 

Border-level authorities held a meeting on May 21 to discuss security, and the supervisor of Myanmar border guard police stated that Bangladesh is responsible for these incidents. The insurgents, they say, are based in Bangladesh and the government has repeatedly requested cooperation to eliminate them.

Commander Colonel Khondkar Forid Hassan, from Bangladesh’s Border Guard, denied the insurgents were living in Bangladesh, despite warnings that any further incursions could lead to Myanmar to take further diplomatic action. 

On the morning of May 13, the government reported that RSO insurgents entered the country near the border post 38 and clashed with the Myanmar border guard police. Later on May 17, RSO insurgents ambushed a Myanmar border guard police on the territory between the border post 52 and Natyaykan. Four policemen were killed and one injured.

 

Citizen investment increases by 60%

Investment by Myanmar businesses has increased by 60 per cent to almost Ks 4.5 trillion (US$ 4.5 billion) in the 2013-14 fiscal year, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration.

The total local investment was recorded at Ks 4.5 trillion at the end of March, an increase from Ks 2.8 trillion (US$ 2.8 billion) last year. Manufacturing represents the largest portion of local investment, followed by the construction sector, hotels and tourism.

There are more than 37,000 local companies in Myanmar. They have invested in 11 sectors, including mining and energy. About Ks 3 trillion of local investment began in the last three years since Thein Sein’s government began a series of political and economic reforms. 

However, the real investment value may be higher than the administration’s record. Since there is  evaluation, audit or investigation has been done into the source of income investing in local projects, critics suspect that some investments especially in real estate and construction sectors involve the use of underground or black money. 

 

Defiant farmers plough army-grabbed land

More than 300 Kayah farmers started ploughing 438 acres of paddy fields on May 27, on land seized by the military. The farmers from Solharku village, Pruso, used 11 mini-tractors and said this action has been permitted by the rural Farmers Committee.

“We do not need to ask for their permission as the paddy fields are from our forefathers. This is our land and we have the duty to look after our village. So we sent notices to the authorities that we are going to go ahead with the ploughing. We will battle from sowing to reaping,” said by Tuyal, a villager of Solharku who is leading the defiant farmers.

Last September, the military designated many areas of fertile farmland, including paddy fields, as army territory. Someone, on behalf of the battalion commander, posted a notice dated February 19, 2014, forbidding the farmers from accessing the area, which is now under military control. 

A total of 1,208 acres, including 438 acres of hillside cultivation areas and pasturelands, have been grabbed by the military following the ploughing protest of Solharku villagers. Farmers have also sent letters to Parliament and the presidential office in protest. 

Protests against land grabbing are rife in Myanmar. 

According to Vice President Nyan Htun, more than 150,000 acres of military-seized lands are slated to be returned to the original owners. In March, he called for quicker action on returning military-seized lands to original owners, according to state media. 

The Ministry of Defence has already returned more than 50,000 acres of seized lands, he said.

He added that relevant government organisations should offer a comprehensive explanation to the public about the seized lands that have not been returned. He said they should also fully explain whether they’re operating constructively or not.

The Parliamentary Land Investigation Commission released a report at the end of February uncovering 745 cases of land seizure. According to the report, more than 500,000 acres of land have been grabbed by the army, local government authorities and private companies.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said more than a hundred farmers had been detained for protesting against the return of grabbed land since the beginning of 2014.