Magway farmers demand land back

Yenangyaung Township Development Committee took the land, with some given to families who had lost their homes in a fire. The owners were allegedly given Ks1,000 per acre as compensation with some farmers refusing to accept the money. At the current market rate, an acre costs Ks700,000.

The original owners had the right to grow on the land but were prevented from registering the land. It meant they were not able to apply for agriculture loans. In 2014, the government planned to use the land for a police training school and changed the ownership to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The project is apparently due to start this year.

“About 12 acres of my land were forcefully taken. To get it back, I submitted letters to township, district, regional and union level offices but it was in vain. Now we heard that we have the right to use our land again as the government will not use it. We were granted permission to protest by the township police,” said farmer Mya Than of Nyaung Hla ward.

Tint Lwin, Yenangyaung Township general administrator, said: “According to the law, this land was registered in 1992. If there are any changes, the original owners may own their land again. But according to the present law we couldn’t give this land back. We permitted their protest as they are the original landowners.”

The land was used to grow beans, pulses and sesame seeds.