Junta asked money from the local people forcibly

Authorities extort money for road construction in Myit Kyi Na

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

December 7, 2007 - In rank display of bad governance and arm twisting the Burmese military regime instead of providing for the upkeep of utility services have been forcibly collecting funds from residents in Myit Kyi Na town of Kachin state in northern Burma for road construction.

People are being made to pay as much as 200,000 Kyat (US $ 150) for construction of new roads in the town.

Under the pretext of reconstructing the main road at Dumare quarter of Myit Kyi Na town, capital of Kachin state, authorities as of last week extorting money from residents, locals said.

"Those living along the road are being asked to shell out 200,000 Kyat and for those living away from the road are giving 100,000 Kyat," a resident, who was also forced to pay up, told Mizzima over telephone.

However, the local, who wished to remain anonymous said, the authorities have demand a higher amount from those having a flourishing business. The amount is as high as 300,000 Kyat.

It is not the first time that the local authorities are collecting money forcibly. Besides road construction, authorities also collect money under the pretext of fire security or even for government plantations, he said.

"It is not the first time, all quarters of the town have to give huge sums of money whenever there is any road construction," the local added.

With frequent collection of money by the authorities for various reasons, local residents, particularly those with lower incomes including widows have been hard hit. Those who cannot afford to pay, have to resort to selling of their homes and shifting to other localities.

"It is impossible to give such large sum of money every time. So many people are finding it difficult to solve this problem. Some even have had to sell of their houses," the local added.

People's average monthly income in Myit Kyi Na town could be raging from 20,000 Kyat – 30,000 Kyat (US $ 15 to 20) and having to pay huge sums of money to the authorities is causing severe problems to the residents, who are trying hard to make ends meet.

Despite the huge monetary contribution by locals for the road construction, local residents said, the roads are poorly constructed.

"We will never be satisfied with their work. Because after two or three years all portions of the road are ruined and cannot be used. They [authorities] lack the technique and are careless rushing to finish the job," another local resident, who was also forced to give money, told Mizzima.

Now, the authorities have begun constructing the road in Dumare quarter and will soon complete the half-mile project, the local said.