Forced eviction at disputed plot in Mingaladon Township
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The authorities used force to remove houses in a 6.55-acre disputed area, known as Mya Thazin Compound, in Mingaladon Township, triggering street fight on Thursday.
The chaos stemmed from the sale of part of the land plot by Win Thein, the compound’s guard. The plot owner subsequently took legal action and the guard was sentenced to serve a year in jail. On Friday, the Mingaladon Township Court approved the warrants for plot tenants to move out and return the land to its owner.
Ye Ye Cho, one of the tenants, claimed that Win Thein sold the partial plot as per the instruction of his boss.
“The tenants bought the land at Ks 200,000 to Ks 300,000 for 20 square feet. There were 23 houses built originally before more homes were sprouting up. I have been living here since the Nargis storm,” said Ye Ye Cho.
Plot owner Maung Maung Ohn said he bought the plot 15 years ago and that he hired the guard who in turn made unlawful sale for parts of his plot to other people.
He said the court had ruled for the return of his land.
Tenants living in the compound filed a complaint to the central committee on land management, claiming they bought the land from Win Thein
Based on the complaint, Win Thein took the land possession from Khin Mya Mya Tin and not Maung Maung Ohn.
Tenants said they utilised the land and paid tax on Khin Mya Mya Tin every year for the past 15 years. They also stated that some 30 electricity meters installed at the disputed plot were under the name of Khin Mya Mya Tin.
Maung Maung Ohn twice mobilised the authorities to enforce the eviction order. And tenants said Maung Maung Ohn appeared to be two different individuals when accompanying the authorities on two separate raids.
