Kyauktaw, Arakan State: Villagers are being forced to work on the Rangoon-Sittwe High way road construction site of Kyauktaw Township since June 20. The road was destroyed because of heavy rain last month, according to local villagers in Kyauk Taw Township.

About 100 villagers from Muslim dominated villages of Haya, Radana Bon, Gouk Tout of Kyauktaw Township are being engaged daily in road construction. Besides 50 Rakhine villagers from Rakhine villages are being forced to work at the road construction site.

About 20 members of Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), fire brigade, Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) and municipal members are also participating in the road construction.

Local villagers have to work from 6 pm to noon every day. The villagers are released at noon for going about their agricultural activity because this season is very important for farmers for growing paddy.

It is learnt that the Rangoon-Sittwe highway will be paved with stones after construction is completed.

The authorities provide two kilograms of rice to each villager per day. The authorities have set up a rice ware house at Radana Bon village, from which rice is being distributed to villagers who work on the road construction site, according to official source.

Villagers are very angry with authorities, as their valuable time is being wasted in construction road, while their labor is crucially needed in agricultural activity, said a farmer from locality.