Burma : Gas Explosion
Troops collect huge amount of money to cover gas pipeline

IMNA
February 12, 2006

Troops of the Burmese Army have collected a huge amount of money from villagers to cover the Kanbauk-Myaing-Kalay gas pipeline following the explosion.

Soldiers responsible for the security of the gas pipeline in Kwan-Hlar village, southern Mudon Township collected 10,000 Kyat from each household in Yaungdoung village to ensure the safety of the gas pipeline from the Yatana offshore.



“The soldiers said they were going to reinstall underground the parts of the gas pipeline which have been exposed by the explosion and they were collecting the money to meet the costs. They collected the same amount from each family,” the villager said.

The army also plans to collect money from villages near the pipeline explosion site such as Hnee-Padaw, Kwan-hlar and Wagaru.

Now the soldiers are forcing about a hundred villagers per day from Kwan-hlar village, Yaungdoung village and Hnee-Padaw to patrol the pipeline for 24 hours to ensure the safety of the pipeline.

The military government is still not certain which rebel groups caused the explosion and have arranged for tight security along the road and in the area.

Kanbauk-Myaing-Kalay gas pipeline was laid in 2000 and the gas is being used for a cement factory in Myaing-Kalay. It has about 200 kilometres long and passes through towns, villages, plantations and farmland.

Inadequate technical knowledge during the construction of the pipeline results in regular explosions. Rebel groups have also caused explosions at least twice in the past.