Civilians forced to carry planks for army camp, pagoda and monastery Khonumthung News 17 April 2007 Civilians in Matupi Township, Chin state Myanmar are being forced by the authorities to transport planks for construction of an army camp, a pagoda and a monastery since March. The Burma Army battalion 304 is compelling villagers of Madu, 15 miles from Matupi to deliver flat timber within two weeks. They had taken and placed the timber at a place three miles from the village. They are now supposed to take it to the village again, a local said. “We were ordered to carry the planks. We are being forced to carry the timber without payment when we are busy with agricultural work,” he complained. Though the authorities have not announced when the army camp, pagoda and monastery will be built, civilians fear that they will be forced into construction work soon. The Matupi Township based army battalion 304 intends to open a new camp in Madu village. They also plan to construct a Buddhist pagoda and monastery at the same place.In 2003 the SPDC opened new operational army camps in Darling, Pasin, Leisin, Pha Neng, Vui Long, Lungngo and Rizua (Sub-township of Matupi) villages of Matupi Township. Now they are opening new camps in Madu and Lailente villages. They have already set up Buddhist monasteries in the new army camps in Rizua, Phaneng and Leisin villages. Now they plan to build a pagoda and a monastery in Madu village.Early this year the army confiscated an old tea plantation belonging to Pasin villagers to construct a new camp. Villagers were forced into construction work. The SPDC continues to open new army camps in Matupi and Paletwa Townships. The authorities have been using manpower of the villagers to tend to their need. Regarding opening new camps and expansion of the army, a village head who visited the border said, “Let’s forget whether the government is supplying food for soldiers in the new camps. In reality civilians take all the responsibility on their behalf. Moreover, they force people into labour and porter duty. In fact, their only aim is to cause suffering to the civilians and enslave them.” The SPDC military government has been increasing the number of army camps on the ostensible promise of local security and development. It is being done in a systematic manner after 1988. They, however, have banned construction of churches and destroyed some, building pagodas and Buddhist monasteries instead, even though 90 percent of the people are Christians in Chin state. For Further More Information-Email- khonumthung@ yahoo.comMobile- +91- 9862367769+91- 9910079036Website- http://www.khonumth ung.com/www.bnionline. net