Maungdaw: Nasaka forces on the western Burmese border have been levying large fines against farmers if their cattle cross a path that has been constructed along the border fence, said farmers in the area.
A farmer said, "We are now suffering from Nasaka authorities' misbehavior. The Nasaka authority has fined us from 50,000 to 100,000 kyat if any cattle even climb up to the path. Many farmers had to pay the fee to Nasaka as their cattle climbed up to the path."
Nasaka authorities have been fining farmers up to 50,000 kyat per cow and 100,000 kyat per buffalo if they are found on the path.
The military authority has been constructing the path along the fence on the western Burmese border since the beginning of this dry season to connect the outposts along the fence. Since the path was put in, the farmers in northern Maungdaw Township have been facing a problem with the exorbitant fines.
"Some Nasaka personnel have forced cattle to walk up to the path because they want to fine the farmers. Even if the cattle approach near the path, they are driven up to the path and then tied, and the farmers are fined," the farmer said.
The fine is being taken for the personal interest of the officers, and not for government revenue.
"It is also exploitation by Burmese authorities against local farmers in the western border area. All residents in the area are now facing an economic crisis, so it is also an unnecessary extra burden for local people," one monk said.
The authority-constructed paths along the fence are a no-man's land, but most of the land in the area was already pasture belonging to local farmers. The farmers not only lost their pastures for the fence and the path, but are now also being fined if their cattle climb up on the path itself.
In northern Maungdaw Township, there are over 100,000 people who make a living on farming and animal husbandry.
-----------------
Narinjara News
Nasaka authorities have been fining farmers up to 50,000 kyat per cow and 100,000 kyat per buffalo if they are found on the path.
The military authority has been constructing the path along the fence on the western Burmese border since the beginning of this dry season to connect the outposts along the fence. Since the path was put in, the farmers in northern Maungdaw Township have been facing a problem with the exorbitant fines.
"Some Nasaka personnel have forced cattle to walk up to the path because they want to fine the farmers. Even if the cattle approach near the path, they are driven up to the path and then tied, and the farmers are fined," the farmer said.
The fine is being taken for the personal interest of the officers, and not for government revenue.
"It is also exploitation by Burmese authorities against local farmers in the western border area. All residents in the area are now facing an economic crisis, so it is also an unnecessary extra burden for local people," one monk said.
The authority-constructed paths along the fence are a no-man's land, but most of the land in the area was already pasture belonging to local farmers. The farmers not only lost their pastures for the fence and the path, but are now also being fined if their cattle climb up on the path itself.
In northern Maungdaw Township, there are over 100,000 people who make a living on farming and animal husbandry.
-----------------
Narinjara News
Comments