Two Ramree men arrested over land dispute are charged under eviction law 

By Admin 06 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 July 2023, Ramree

Two local men from Ramree, Arakan State, who were arrested over land dispute have reportedly been charged under Section 9(1) of the 1955 Government Premises (Eviction) Act at the Ramree Township Court.

U Nyein Chan, an engineer from the Ministry of Construction, filed a lawsuit against U Aung Lwin, owner of the ‘Than Yaw Zin’ restaurant, and his relative U Maung Pwar.

“They [the two men] were remanded by the township court for two weeks. The pair is currently detained at the township police station and is allowed to meet family members,” said Ko Pyae Hein Lwin, the son of U Aung Lwin.

The duo were arrested on July 3 by about 50 junta police and departmental personnel for allegedly squatting on land that the junta-controlled Ministry of Construction claims ownership of in Ward 3 of Ramree Township.

The restaurant was reportedly bulldozed by the police and departmental personnel, without prior notice.

“We are currently living at our relative’s home,” said Daw Ma Htwe, the wife of U Aung Lwin. “Our home was demolished by junta personnel. We have been living on this land plot for over 20 years. This land plot is not owned by the Ministry of Construction.”

Residents said the disputed land was previously occupied by military intelligence officers and was not owned by the Construction Ministry.

DMG attempted to contact an official from the Ramree Myoma police station and the plaintiff, U Nyein Chan, regarding the matter, but they could not be reached.

Section 9(1) of the 1955 Government Premises (Eviction) Act states that “unauthorized residents of government premises can be prosecuted and, upon conviction, imprisoned for up to three years or at least fined from 100,000 to 500,000 kyats, or both.”