MPs said that the unlicensed laterite quarries are continuing to operate in Ye township, flouting cease and desist order that have been issued.

U Chit Tin, Mon State Hluttaw MP from Ye constituency 2,
submitted a proposal on June 7 calling for the government
to crackdown on unlicensed quarries. (photo: MNA)

U Chit Tin, the MP from Ye’s constituency 2, told parliament on June 7 that the illegal activity must be stopped for the wellbeing of local residents.

“Quarrying is going on in three or four places in Ye township. In one place, the excavation site is five acres wide. They are excavating near houses and between the houses. It’s very dangerous for the public,” he said.

He submitted a proposal for the government to intervene. The motion was approved the following day.

U Min Kyi Win, Mon State’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said the Ah Sin Village Group Administrator already gave the illegal excavators a warning on May 22, and called for a more decisive intervention to be approved.

“The government needs to take action against those who are quarrying and selling without a license. The township general administrator has the responsibility to take action so we will have to give him the instruction to do it,” he said.

Laterite is often used for road repairs, and is sometimes made into bricks for construction work.