Eviction leaves Ann residents facing troubles

04 May 2022

DMG Newsroom

4 May 2022, Ann 

A group of locals who were recently evicted from land that the military claims ownership of in Ann Township, Arakan State, are having difficulties finding new shelter and feeding their families. 

More than 30 houses and roadside shops as well as a free school in Nat Sin Gon and Ann Myothit wards had to relocate following an eviction order from Myanmar’s military last month. 

One of the evictees said he had rented a plot of land on which he built a makeshift house near the township cemetery, and is facing financial hardship. 

“I have rented a piece of land at the back of the cemetery. I have no job and I need to support my younger sister who is a university student. In the previous place, I could open a roadside stall. But here, I can’t do any business. I am having many difficulties,” he said.

 Another evictee, Ma Pu Seik Kay, said: “We have no money to rent a house, and we are jobless after we were evicted from there. As a casual worker, we can’t afford to rent a house, and we have to stay at the house of my parents for the time being.” 

People living on a hill near New Ann city also had to vacate in April after the military claimed that they were squatting on its land. 

The Ann Township police force has ordered houses and shops occupying the former site of the township central police station to move by May 21. Those who fail to vacate by the deadline will be forcibly removed under the Government Building Eviction Act of 1955, according to an eviction notice.

 The eviction order means some 100 houses and shops will have to leave the site, according to local residents. 

Police have also reportedly ordered some 100 more houses occupying the former site of the General Administration Department and lands adjacent to the airport runway to move.