Friday, December 14, 2012

Monywa children not affected by exposure to acid, govt says

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Friday, 14 December 2012 15:35 Mizzima News

Four Monywa children with severe health problems have been cleared of contracting the illnesses through exposure to acid at the copper mine site near their homes, according to a statement on the President’s Office website on Friday.

A bulldozer at the Latpadaung copper mine project in Monywa, Sagaing Division. (PHOTO: Hein Htet / Mizzima)

The children, aged between 20 months and 16 years of age, were sent to Yangon Children's Hospital at the request of Aung San Suu Kyi in her role as Chairperson of the Inquiry Commission formed to investigate the controversy surrounding the copper mine project.

Three of the children have been suffering from cerebral palsy while the other lost her vision after brain tumor surgery. The four were admitted to hospital in Rangoon on Tuesday where they received the necessary medical check-ups by specialists, the report said.

According to the examination results, doctors found no symptoms conducive to exposure to acid, the statement said.

A 16-member commission, headed by Suu Kyi, has been appointed to probe into the Letpadaung copper mine project, which is a joint venture between a Burmese military-backed company and the Chinese Wanbao Company.

The Commission is also tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding a violent crackdown by riot police on protesters, including Buddhist monks, at the site on November 29.

The Commission is expected to submit an investigation report before December 31.

Related articles:

http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/8515-suu-kyi-chairs-first-monywa-inquiry-meeting.html

http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/8503-monywa-inquiry-commission-reduced-in-numbers-and-powers.html

http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/8471-80-injured-in-monywa-crackdown.html

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