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| Southeast Asia | |
| More homes destroyed and relocated at Burma’s new capital | |
| 2005-12-07 | |
| Dec 2005, (DVB) - Although it is not clear whether foreign embassies will move to Burma’s ‘new’ capital Pyinmana in central of the country, around 500 homes in the town have been forcibly destroyed and relocated by the authorities in order to widen its streets, according to local residents. The streets of Pyinmana have been widened to make it look like a proper capital, and U Razat Street, Maung Khaing Street and Pagoda Street were the first to be widened and other streets are likely to follow soon, residents told DVB. The authorities are not only giving any compensation to home owners but also threatening them with arrests and prosecutions if they do not dismantle or destroy their homes and move out in time.
Meanwhile, members of military HQs security force have been interrogating active local National League for Democracy (NLD) youth members and forcing them to sign pledges. Nearly 100 youth members had been interrogated so far and the actions followed the interrogations of 15 youth leaders including poet Maung Thin Khaing. The security agents detained the youths up to 3-4 hours and mainly asked them who their contacts in the NLD are, what they have been doing for the party, and forced to sign the pledges that they won’t be getting involved in political activities anymore and provide full biographical details. Moreover, the agents also threatened to cut off the telephone connection of anyone caught talking to foreign radio stations and arrest those who talk to foreigners or those who possess cameras or tape recorders. | |
| Posted by:Steve |