Junta woos people in Chin state with development work

June 14 : With the general elections in Burma round the corner, the Burmese military junta is going all out to woo the electorate. It is now increasingly getting involved in development work, which it has been ignoring for years. The regime is now constructing bridges, building drains and other public utility services in Hakha town, Chin state western Burma.

“The municipal body has constructed a bridge 20 feet long and 6 feet wide in Nazareth block in Hakha town in early June. The government spent Kyat 20 lakhs for the construction,” said an elder in the town.

Besides, the civic body is building roads and sewerage facilities and carrying out repairs on public utility facilities in the blocks of Kesik, Chin O Si, Pyitawta and Kyawpouh.

Though the public is happy with the work undertaken by the government, they believe that they are being wooed for votes for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.

“We cannot guarantee voting for the political parties backed by the regime though it is good the junta is into developmental works. However, we are afraid it can hinder our freedom later,” a local told Khonumthung News.

A person on condition of anonymity in Chin O Si block also said, “Though it is good for our block but we do not trust the junta. It will exploit us after such work.”

In connection with the development work some people believe that the Chin Tactical Commander Mr. Hung Ngai, who is a Buddhist and had contributed money to three churches in Chin state, is likely wooing people for votes.

The junta has already transformed the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) into a political party to contest the general election in Burma. – Khonumthung News.

http://www.khonumthung.org/news.php?readmore=221