Farmers have not been paid over half a billion kyats of promised compensation for farmlands ruined by the Myanmar Oil and Gas (MOGE) Myanmar to China gas pipeline in Ann Township, Arakan State.
Farmland in Ann Township ruined by the MOGE gas pipeline
The affected farmers from Taungphilar Village Group, Salshinlote Village, and Salshin Village sent a letter to Narinjara News saying that they had only received 301,754,335 kyats of 856 million kyats compensation promised to them in a document signed by the Anne Township Administrator.
The farmers said they are still owed 554,245,665 kyats.
They have called for central government officials to investigate the discrepancy between the compensation promised and the money paid and to immediately pay the remaining promised compensation.
According to villagers on 5 February the Taungphilar Village Administrator was told that officials from MOGE and the township administrative office would come and talk to farmers on 6 February, but they failed to turn up, even though the farmers were waiting for them.
The farmers then held a protest in Ann on 9 February. They have also hired lawyers to fight for the rest of their compensation through the court system.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
