Burman gangs from upper Burma steal the local people's properties

Independent Mon News Agency
December 9, 2005

A Burmese gang from upper Burma based near Thanpyuzayat town is stealing the local people's properties and farm products, claims by local residents.

The gang is founded by Burmans from upper Burma who migrated to town for seeking job. The gang has the members of 10 families and it has about 30 people.

The Burmese gang took fruit and farm products from plantations, which are situated, in western part of the town, called Smoine Blai hill area, without the permission of owners.

“I don't know what should I do. When I went back my home they entered to my plantation and took whatever they wanted. Even I was there they take the products in front of me. They did not care I was the owner,” Nai Kin said.

The looting by the gang case has become serious and the local residents complaint to township authorities to enforce the laws and arrest them. But township authorities and town quarter Chairman from Aung Ku Doe ignored the case.

Local plantation owner in Smoine Blai hill area felt sad for the case. “ They take all (products) what they see, ” Nai Ong a resident said.

Thousand of Burmese people from upper Burma fled to Mon area and southern Burma for seeking jobs due to the low income in their native villages and some Burmese retired soldiers seek jobs and remained in the area.

The number of Burmans fled to Mon area has been increasing and some local State authorities in Mon State and southern Burma give favor to them because they are Burmans.

According to Ye and Yephu Township , the local people face such case of looting in their area. These Burman people took their farm products – fruits and paddy – and they re-sold them.

Currently a local Burmese Army's battalion based in Khawzar town kept about 30 Burmans from upper Burma in their battalion and the commanders sent them in Mon communities as agents by offering them some jobs.

Due to high income and favor to Burman people, they also separate the news to their relatives of other Burman in upper Burma and have brought their families to Mon State .