MYITGYINA- The locals from the Myitsone region, Kachin State, yesterday released a statement calling for the government to cancel the Myitsone dam project as well as aid to those that were forced to move from the project zone.
Mungchying Rawt Jat (MRJ), a civil organization formed with displaced locals, also announced that the villagers were displaced as villages were forced to move onto the new place due to Myitsone dam project which led to villagers having to abandon their lands and farms - which either puts at risk or destroyed their livelihoods. The State Power Investment Corporation Company(then known as China Power Investment Corporation) has the responsibility for returning of displaced villagers to their native villages until the total stoppage of Myitsone dam project.
It also stated that the locals have always rejected Myitsone dam project and so rice and other provisions were cut out for the locals. The government must bear responsibility for cancellation of the Myitsone dam project and help locals recoup their losses.
“We would like to say that the announcement issued by the Chinese Ambassador was wrong. We will always reject the Myitsone dam project. Rations were cut out since 2014 because, we, including Teacher Lu Yar denounced the Myitsone dam project. Likewise, Mone Yar from Mali Yan village was banned from receiving ration support starting this month. The displaced villagers are now selling and doing farm tasks at their old villages: Myitsone and Tanphe. Even though government will stop the Myitsone dam project, there have been problems and challenges for the locals,” said Daw Jar Khaung who was forced to move onto Aung Myin Tha village from Myitsone.
The Investigation Committee on Ayeyawady River Confluence Dam was formed on August 12th of 2016 at the time of the incumbent government led by National league for Democracy. T Khun Myat, Vice-Speaker of Lower Houses acted as Committee’s Chairman as well as Dr Khat Aung, Kachin State Chief Minister and Law expert Mary May Nun involved were members in the committee.
Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang visited Myitgyina Township, Kachin State, on December 28th and 29th and met with leaders of Kachin Political Parties and civic and social organizations.
Later, the Chinese embassy in Myanmar announced a statement saying that no political parties and CSOs had rejected the dam project but only external organizations did.
Concerning the announcement, Kachin Alliance Party said that they wanted to stop Myitsone dam project for all time and would carry out internal peace processes together with the international community including China and United Nations. If Myanmar would gain genuine internal peace, industrial projects would be established in Kachin State.
There were 47 villages, 1,904 households comprising 10,505 family members forced to move onto Aung Myin Thar and Mali Yan villages due to Myitsone dam project.
