Five more model villages coming up in Buthidaung

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 19:10 Nyein Chan

Dhaka (Mizzima) - In the ongoing process of settling the homeless from across Burma, five more model villages are being set up with over 500 houses in Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State.

The Border Development and Resettlement Department (Na Ta La) is constructing the five model villages since the end of last month between Phone Nyo Leik and Ngwe Taung villages, 10 miles from Buthidaung Township, according to Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) sources. The completion is scheduled for April.

“Five model villages with over 100 houses in each village are being built and will be completed no later than April. The families of the homeless from across the country will be resettled here,” a staff member of the TPDC, who wished anonymity told Mizzima.

The new model villages known in local parlance as ‘Na Ta La’ villages are yet to be named, he added.

Soe Thar Maung, a local resident of Lay Mine Ward, Maungdaw town said Rakhine families repatriated from Bangladesh are resettled in these villages. They comprise retired army personnel, former convicts, surrendered Rakhine armed group members and beggars from middle Burma.

Buthidaung has a population of almost 200,000 people of whom Buddhists and Muslims are in more or less equal proportions.

The TPDC staff said that the new settlers will be provided houses, kitchen utensils, and an acre of paddy field, one cow and paddy for one monsoon season. Those averse to working in paddy fields will be provided tricycle rickshaws and hand tractors.

But the fact remains the settlers are usually allotted only the house and plot. Interestingly, those who want to get all the assistance which comes with the Na Ta La, scheme have to bribe Kyat 5,000 to 10,000 to the local military commander of the Burmese border security force the Na Sa Ka, the VPDC Chairman or military officers, Ko Done Sein Maung living in Udaung Na Ta La model village in Maungdaw Township said.

The Na Ta La model villages are being built in Muaungdaw, Buthidaung and Yethetaung townships in Rakhine State since 2001.

Over 2,500 houses have been built in over 40 model villages namely Ingyin Myaing, Padauk Myaing, Thazin Myaing, Tharaphi, Gandama, Khatihla, Kyauksadaing, Maunghnama, Kyauklonegyi, Udaung, Aungmingala, Myinloot, Wakhutchaung, Weithali, Khamaungseik, Minglanyunt, Taungpyo - We (model village), Taungpyo -Yar (model village), Tharikongboung, Inndin, Augnsitpyin, Pyarthar, Danyawadi, Kyikanpyin among others in these three townships for resettlement.