The three local residents arrested for the conflict over the coal-fired cement plant project in Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region, were brought out to trial under tight police security on August 11. 

“It is totally unfair to us. We are not interested in the sections with which they are charging us. We will not answer their questions. We are boycotting the court. We, Aungthabyay villagers, are being treated unfairly. It is time the Union government made an inspection tour here,” said Shwe Ohn, one of the defendants from Aungthabyay Village. 

Their families, local villagers and some members of the All Burma Students Union and political activists came to the court to support the defendants, leading to a heavy police presence. 

They appeared at Patheingyi Township court and plaintiff witnesses were questioned. The defendants are Shwe Ohn and his daughter and son. The next trial is on August 25. 

Shwe Ohn said he needed proper medical treatment as his eye was harmed after he received gun wounds on his face during the brawl when they were arrested. 

Police raided the village on March 24 and 25 this year to arrest the three. At that time, a brawl occurred between the police and villagers. As the police opened fire, some villagers were wounded. Some of the police were also injured. 

A conflict occurred between the local residents and the company concerned in May last year over the controversial 5,000-ton Alpha coal-fired cement plant project in Patheingyi Township. Tun Win Myint, a villager of Aungthabyay was arrested. Days after his arrest, he was allegedly tortured to death in Obo Prison in Mandalay. The offender was charged with murder and legal action was taken against some prison officials.