More lawsuits have been filed against some local residents who complained about the weak rule of law in the Nansipon gem mining area in Khamti Township, Sagaing Region, during State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's trip to Khamti in March this year. 

During her trip, locals reported to the State Counsellor on weaknesses in ensuring the rule of law at the mine site and gem mining companies' filing of suits against local people.

Khin Hla Zin (aka) Zin Mar, one of the defendants, said the State Counsellor instructed the region chief minister to settle the cases in one month. But the cases have not been handled yet and even more suits have come. 

"During her visit, I presented a report to the State Counsellor that Nansipon region lacked the rule of law. She asked the chief minister to go to arbitration and solve the problem in one month. But it has not been solved. But we are facing more lawsuits," she said. 

"The latest lawsuits were filed by the same person. In the first case, six people including me and Po Htoo were sued under Section 117. In the second case, I, Po Htoo and Cho Tu were sued under Section 122. I and Po Htoo face more suits under Sections 447, 427 and 114. They said the reason for suing us is that on November 11, 2017, about 5,000 local jade hunters under the leadership of Khin Hla Zin and Po Htoo committed destructive acts such as destroying the fences of the areas owned by Myaukkyunthu Ma Ma Co and Htet Ye Lin Co, stoning the backhoes and trucks and piercing the oil tanks. The companies said they lost about K20 million. Mya Maung, in-charge from the  two companies, have filed lawsuits against us," said Khin Hla Zin. 

She said she would  complain again to the State Counsellor.