Former residents of the shantytown that was torn down by Yangon police earlier this month gathered in Naypyidaw yesterday to demand new land to replace the homes they lost.
On June 12, Yangon police directed hundreds of hired hands in demolishing a shantytown in Hlegu Township built by unregistered residents along the Yangon-Mandalay highway. Around 4,000 homes were destroyed, and at least six residents were arrested for resisting the destruction of their homes.
The residents held a protest in the capital’s Ottarathiri Township and held signs saying:
- “Recognize the humanity of homeless people”
- “Stop destroying the homes of poor people”
- “Give landless people a place to live in accordance with their rights”
- “Take care of us after destroying our homes”
Many of the squatters moved into the area of the shantytown in 2014 and began building roads, monasteries, and schools. They urged authorities to officially recognize the settlement as a village and submitted lists of residents and households.
Now, the homeless villagers are asking again to be given land and to have their residence recognized by the government.
“If we sell the land, punish us. We just want a place to live,” protest leader Maung Naing told Eleven.
Another displaced squatter said: “Yangon Region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein said no squatter hut would be demolished without the residents receiving alternative accommodation. We believed him. But they demolished our huts by force without even asking us.”
The land in Hlegu will reportedly be used for the development of a new high-rise housing project to accommodate Yangon’s growing demand for housing.
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