1. We have received information about the authorities compelling the

villagers of Myaung Township in Sagaing Division to supply labour

(forced labour) and of the imposition made by allotments.

2. Since August 1998 to date, the authorities have required forced

labour of one person per household for a canal construction project

(without payment and setting aside his own work). The villages from

which this conscription is made are Ma-gyi-boke, Twin-gyi, Shwe-pan,

Kya-o, Pa-rein-ma, Shwe-pan-gyun, Thi-ri-zay-ya, Oke-hne-boke, Mya-san,

King, Boo-gaing, Ko-pin, Kyauk-yit, Na-set, Ta-ma-say-gan, Za-yat-kone,

in the township of Myaung.

3. In addition to this arduous, and lengthy service with no

remuneration the authorities have collected by force a total of

approximately five million Kyats at the rate of Kyats 50 per acre.

(Total acreage of fifty thousand comprising 85 villages in 52 village

tracts). What they have done with the money no one knows.

4. Then again, those workers who do not own any land have to pay an

average of Kyats one hundred per household, those who are in service

have to pay Kyats one hundred per head and those traders or brokers have

to pay Kyats two hundred. The township authorities have issued orders

threatening action for flouting authority against those who fail to make

payment within the prescribed period.

5. Having to provide a long period of forced labour in addition to the

allotted impositions has resulted in great hardship (mental and

physical) to the villagers in Myaung township.

6. We therefore urge that out of compassion for fellow human beings,

appropriate steps be taken to relieve the villagers in the above

township of the heavy burden and hardships they are suffering.

Central Executive Committee

National League for Democracy

Rangoon

18 February 1999