February 25

 

Thousands of people who settled beside the roads leading to Yuzana Garden City, Dagon Seikkan Township have been displaced after soldiers and municipal staff forcibly destroyed their houses, shops and bus stations.

 

"It is like doomsday. People destroyed their own houses, settlements, carrying things, crying and it made everyone suffer,” according to a resident in the Yuzana Garden City. “Although I didn't like those squatters and street vendors, I think it is wrong to force these people out and destroy their settlements without giving notice.”

 

“Residents in the city are confused about where to buy daily needs because of eviction,” he told the Burma Associated Press. “And ordinary people like us found things difficult because some people went to buy rice and oil when things are in chaos."

 

The eviction followed the killing of two administrators in 94 ward of the city in Dagon Seikkan township on February 19.

 

The eviction started on February 22, when an armed group in civilian clothes and military personnel forced out of their settlements the street vendors and shop owners who were selling goods alongside Kangaw road located between A block and B block apartments.

 

The next day, the same armed groups threatened the settlers along Kyun Shwe Wah road that is located between C block and B block buildings. The settlements included houses, restaurants, shops and bus stations, leaving about 200 families homeless.

 

On that same evening, settlers around C block buildings were warned by municipal staff and armed people to remove and destroy their houses, shops and restaurants by noon on February 24, if not their settlements would be bulldozed.

 

On February 24, settlements including squatters around C block buildings areas and ward 93, that were located near the buildings were forcibly evicted and armed individuals destroyed their houses.

 

"We built a small house because we couldn't afford to rent an apartment but now where we would we go,” asked U Ko Lay who lives at a squatter settlement near C block and whose house were among those destroyed.

 

“We destroyed our own house. We stayed at Ward 94 and they said they won't allow us to report as guests when we're trying to move to Ward 93 where the rent are cheaper than here,” he added. They said people who lives in Ward 94 must stay inside same ward. Now, there are many people like us who has become homeless. Nobody is doing anything for us. I don't know what to do in the future.

 

After the incident on February 19, the military forces conducted surprise checks to the pedestrians, vehicles and motorcycles on the roads and streets inside and around Yuzana Garden City.

 

At the moment, the forces patrol inside the city with their vehicles and trucks.

 

"I heard there would be midnight inspection at the houses. So, I went to ward administration office and saw there were many people like me who report in the guest list at the office," a resident said.

 

The street vendors and businesses are currently moving and selling their goods inside the city's market but some businesses are trying to rent new places but face high rental prices.

 

Caption: Houses and stalls that were forced to be destroyed by the military forces.

 

Burma Associated Press