Security still tight around gas pipeline explosion site
- From: "MRC-USA" <mrcorg@xxxxxxx>
- Date: 1 Mar 2006 14:41:49 -0800
Security still tight around gas pipeline explosion site
Chan Mon
March 1, 2006
Tight security continues in and around the site of the gas pipeline
explosion In Mudon township and troops have been forcing villagers in
the area to guard the pipeline and bridges.
"Every day four men from our village and Youngdoung village have to
patrol Youndoung village's iron bridge for 24 hours. Fourteen men
from each village have to patrol the pipeline," Ko Khaing from
Kwan-hlar village explained.
Soldiers have been based in the village for security reasons since the
gas pipeline exploded on February 1 night. The soldiers have been
patrolling all night in our village and other villages near by he
added.
My father was forced to patrol the pipeline in our Kalawthut village
recently, a girl who reached the border said.
After the Kanbauk- Myaing-kalay gas pipeline exploded, local people in
the area were forced to patrol the pipeline. About a hundred men from
Youngdoung village, Kwan-hlar village and Hni-padaw villages were
forced into patrolling for a couple of weeks.
"They did not allow villagers to go out at night. If we have to go
out for emergency reasons we have to take permission from the
troops," he added.
The authorities have also restricted villagers from celebrating their
traditional pagoda festival due to the explosion. They are not allowed
to have stage shows and drama performances during the festival.
Villagers are afraid and have been following the orders of the army.
Villagers are concerned because the Infantry Battalion No.62 commander
told them they were to be moved to Pegu division if another explosion
occurred in the area.
According to villagers they are afraid of losing their land and
plantation if another blast occurs. In this area, the pipeline has
exploded three times. This time an armed group was said to be involved.
Local authorities have accused the Mon and Karen armed groups. But both
armed groups have called the accusation baseless. Before the explosion
occurred local authorities had warned that some armed groups planned to
cause an explosion in the pipeline. The authorities put up posters of
those involved on main roads those being held responsible are two
Karens, four Burmese and two Indian Burmese. Later authorities accused
Mon and Karen armed groups and also put out a warrant for a New Mon
State Party (NMSP) member for involvement in the explosion. But NMSP
denied that their man was involved.
This pipeline was laid in 2000 for the Myaing-ka-lay cement factory and
it is more than 200 kilometres long. The gas comes from Yatana offshore
in Kabauk area, Tenasserim division.
............................................................................................................................
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Editor: Tel: 66 (0) 9 2072825
Please visit Burma News International Web-site: www.bnionline.net, in
which IMNA is a member.
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