On 27 October, Meikhtila military airbase authorities summoned 350 farmers from 16 villages in the area surrounding the airbase to the village-group Peace and Development Council and asked them to sign an agreement allowing the government to seize 1300 acres of their farmlands, a Meikhtila resident said.

“Villagers who own farmlands in 16 villages from three village-groups were asked by an air-force officer to sign the agreement which says they acknowledge the government’s seizure of their lands for a future factory project,” said the Meikhtila resident.

“Most of the paddy rice produced in the district comes from these farmlands. They are vital food sources for all the people in the whole district.”

The airbase authorities reportedly promised the farmers compensation of twelve times their farm tax rate for the loss of land.

The tax rate for each acre of farm is 1.50 kyat.

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December 31, Democratic Voice of Burma

Missionaries give Christmas donation to prison inmates

Christian missionaries in Kalay township, Sagaing division, were given permission to provide a Christmas meal and donate clothing to inmates in three local prison camps.

The missionaries had been denied permission to give donations last year, but were told this year by authorities that they would be able to do so.

The clothing and meat-based meals were provided to inmates in the Yarsakyo, Mawlike Kalay and 55 Miles work camps.

Kalay township residents said that the living condition for inmates in prison work camps in the area has been very poor, with prisoners shackled and given demanding farm work to do with no proper meals.

Death rates among prisoners have been on the rise too, residents said.