Accused of squatting, several shopkeepers told to vacate Sittwe market

By Admin 24 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
24 October 2023, Sittwe
 
The Sittwe District Fire Services Department has issued eviction notices to more than 20 shops at a local market in the Arakan State capital’s Mingan Ward, according to shopkeepers.
 
Officials from the Sittwe District Fire Services Department and ward administrators notified shopkeepers at the No. 8 Market on Saturday, saying the land on which the shops were built belongs to the department, and would soon be fenced in.
 
“They have so far told us two times this year to vacate. They said they would build a fence. But they didn’t tell us when we will have to vacate,” said shopkeeper Daw Nandar Win.
 
Among the enterprises to be evicted are shops that sell clothes, consumer goods, food and snacks. The affected shopkeepers are concerned about their livelihoods.
 
“They didn’t force us in a threatening way. They told us that they have received a budget to build a fence. We are concerned,” said shopkeeper Daw Khin May.
 
Several shopkeepers submitted a petition after they were first told by the Fire Services Department to vacate.
 
Shopkeeper Daw Ma Htwe Chay said: “We bought this shop only two years ago for 3 million kyats. We eke out an existence on our daily income. We will run into financial hardships if the shop is demolished. We want them to give a space for us somewhere else in compensation.”
 
A source close to the Sittwe District Fire Services Department said the shopkeepers do not need to vacate immediately. “We have informed them so that they can make the necessary preparations if they really have to vacate.”
 
There are two markets in Mingan Ward, with the No. 8 Market open for more than 25 years and being the main market for most Mingan residents.