The Ministry of Defense has released 209 acres of land, which were seized by Loikaw-based 250th Infantry Battalion and No. 7 Military Hospital over five years ago.
The 250th Infantry Battalion seized 194 acres while No. 7 Military Hospital seized 15 acres. The seized lands were returned to the State with the letter dated August 16, 2017 from the Central Committee for Re-scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands.
The Ministry of Home Affairs designated these lands as government-managed lands and returned them back to the original farmers.
The released lands have been officially transferred to the farmers by issuing temporary form (3) for the right to use farmland and giving compensations for the farmlands that have been seized for the railway station.
The Tatmadaw seized these lands from the farmers in Loikaw since 2013. The farmers only received the right to officially use the lands after five years.
The Kayah State Chief Minister U L. Phaung Sho said the released lands have been returned to the farmers after they were scrutinized by successive committees.
“Our government is striving to return the seized farmlands to the farmers and the public,” he said during the ceremony of returning the seized farmlands held at the State Hall in Loikaw on 11 March.
Khu Oo Reh from Myaynigone Village said only a small amount of seized lands have been returned and they will continue to make demands for the release of the remaining lands.
“To be frank, what we get back is lesser area. Much more acreages are still left,” he said.
In his address, the state chief minister explained the policies, processes, points for scrutiny, and directions, what have been set down on the issue of seized lands.
“According to the policy, the Tatmadaw has to release the land if it’s not used by them. They should take as little as possible. When we conducted field inspection, we observed that no projects have been carried out after ten years; however the lands were not released. We are very grateful to them for returning the lands. But then I consider they should release more lands. Only then can they soothe the bitter feeling of the public,” said Pyithu Hluttaw MP Dr Khin Sithu from Loikaw constituency, who has been assisting the local residents in getting their lands back.
The ceremony on returning the seized farmlands was attended by the State Chief Minister U L. Phaung Sho and the state government officials, MPs, Tatmadaw representatives, members of the District/Township Committee for Re-scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands, farmers, peace organizations, and state/district/township-level department officials.
