People in parts of Three Pagoda Pass town are being displaced for implementation of town development projects. Dozens of private houses were destroyed and people relocated by local military authorities in a Thai-Burmese border town recently.

More than 70 private house owners, near the police station in Three Pagoda Pass town have been ordered to move to Thaung Wine, northeast of town. The relocation programme was decided by local authorities at a meeting yesterday, an official said.

“I think it is positive and good for us because we will own 40/60 feet wide land,” said Mi Mu Zaw, a member of a relocated family.

One local official, who asked not to be named, told IMNA that at the meeting authorities also agreed to provide compensation for 47 families who have house registration documents.

With their old houses destroyed, the people cannot move to a new place because they don’t know where to live as authorities did not measure the land for them, according to an eyewitness.

Some are living in temporary shelters at their old place and some are staying in friends’ homes, he said.