Squatters warned: evict or face demolition

Kyaw Shwe from Bukwe Village said the authorities asked them to move to a new designated area after seizing his village and two others to make way for a new Nay Pyi Taw park since the year 2006-2007. But some of them could not move to the new area as they were away on business trips, he added.

 “We have sent many letters requesting the council officials to delay the eviction but they did not respond. We are natives of this village. We can show our household registrations. We are told we will be arrested on October 29. We are ready to face arrest but we cannot allow them to demolish our homes. We cannot buy or rent land. We have no place to live and our family will get into trouble. Our children are still pursuing education and we want the authorities to know that,” said Kyaw Shwe.  

The remaining households from Bukwe Village have moved to Shwe Nantha Ward in Ottarathiri Township in 2008, which the Nay Pyi Taw Development Affairs Committee declared it squatter homes. More than 500 people are living in the 120 squatters’ houses and 140 of them are reported to be school children.