Local people in Nakawngmu, 40 km north of the Chiangmai border in Mongton Township, eastern Shan State, have been ordered to pay money for rebuilding and laying tar of the village road, according to local sources.
By Hseng Khio Fah
26 February 2009
In early November, 2008, Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyo, Commander of Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command said that he would give 80 drums of tar to the village to reconstruct the road, during his visit to Mongton, said a source.
Since then, village headmen have been told to collect money for the construction.
“They [authorities] said the collecting is to pay the workers of the ministry of construction,” he said.
The road to be reconstructed is one mile long on the northern side towards Monghang, known for the now-demolished tomb of King Naresuan the Great of Ayuddya (1555-1605).
“They [authorities] will start to build it soon after the money is collected,” he said.
Houses by the road were required to pay for it depending on the width of their houses. They have to pay by two installments, totaling Kyat 2,200 ($ 2.16) per square foot.
For instance, Sai Hseng (not real name)’s house is 80 feet long. He had to pay Kyat 176,000 ($ 173.3), Kyat 88,800 (86.6) per installment.
The houses by the road have already paid their first installments on 24th. There are about 80 houses at the side of the road to be reconstructed.
“We just have to comply with their order. If not we will be told to move to outside the main road. It is also not easy to stay beside the road. We are often ordered to contribute work or money.”
There are 6 quarters in Nakawngmu village tract and the main road is 3 miles long. The road reconstruction is to be completed in March or April, 2009.
Similarly, Pongpakhem, halfway between Nakawngmu and the border has also been collecting money from villagers and has been building the road since 2006. The villagers there have been divided into three classes: the 1st class has to pay Kyat 200,000 ($ 197), the 2nd class Kyat 100,000 ($98.5) and the third class Kyat 50,000 ($49.2), according to local sources. http://www.shanland.org/
