Fresh explosion in Burma 's gas pipeline

IMNA
February 2, 2006

There was yet another explosion in the gas pipeline laid by the Burmese military government in Mudon Township, Mon state last night, Nai Than, an eye witness and a local villager said.

The gas pipeline called Kanbauk-Myaingkalay transmits gas from Yatana offshore gas station to a new cement factory in Myaingkalay village in Karen State .

Explosions continued in the gas pipeline for more than four hours from 11:30 pm to 4 am near Kwan –hlar village, Mudon Township , Nai Than said.

“Many villagers were scared that the fire would spread to the village. Fortunately there was no damage,” he added.

“Loud explosions and the leaking gas kept villagers awake the whole night,” he added.

People over a radius of 10 miles were frightened out of their wits. “We saw the flames leaping to a height of more than 100 feet,” said another eyewitness.

The military's southeast region authorities were seen inspecting the site of the explosion this morning. They reportedly hinted at sabotage and said the explosion was not normal. However, they did not say who was behind the explosion.

The local people believe the explosion was caused by an anonymous group. Interestingly, before the explosion the military authorities had announced that a group, comprising four Burmese men, two Karens and two Indian-Burmese men from Thailand were planning an explosion in the gas pipeline.

The explosion occurred under the very nose of soldiers because there was tight security in the area.

Afraid they would be accused by the local government of blowing up the pipeline many villagers avoided going to see the explosion site

Although the explosion did not affect the civilians in the area the environment will be directly affected. The entire area smells of gas. The local authorities did not make any announcement regarding protection from the impact of the explosion.

This is the third explosion on the gas pipeline near Kwan-hlar village. The first explosion occurred in October 2000. The second was in 2003. When the gas pipeline exploded in 2003 villagers believed that the gas blew up normally at a junction in the pipeline.

Explosions often occur along the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay gas pipeline because of faulty construction. It is believed that the Burmese engineers who had constructed the pipeline were not skilled enough. Gas regularly spews from the junctions in the pipeline and then blows up.

The gas pipeline passes through villages, paddy farmlands and fruit and rubber plantations in Mon State .

The military regime, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), in Burma constructed this pipeline in early 2000 to provide gas to a cement factory in Myaingkalay in Pa-an Township in Karen State .

The regime also brings gas from the multinational gas companies like Total ( France ) and UNOCAL ( United States ) exploiting the ‘Yatana' gas field in Andaman Sea of Burma.

During the construction of the pipeline, the regime confiscated peoples' farmlands, house gardens and orchid plantations along the route. Mon civilians were forced to move.

After the construction, the use of forced labour has continued to guard the pipeline, to fence it and to refill earth on the exposed pipe route.