Maungdaw, Arakan State: Paddy fields in Maungdaw Township were damaged two years ago, after saline water meant for shrimp projects, was carried into the fields through irrigation, a shrimp project owner of Maungdaw Township said.

These shrimp projects were formerly owned by Rohingya villagers and were seized forcibly by concerned authorities such as--- the Township  Peace and Development Council  (TPDC),  Burma's border security force (Nasaka), the Military Intelligence (Sarapa),  HLoon Tin Police, Army battalion No.233, Tactical Operation Command (TOC) of Buthidaung, Union Solidarity  and Development Association ( USDA) and the fishing culture department--- of Maungdaw Township. The authorities seized the shrimp projects for their benefit.

After seizing the shrimp projects, they invited tenders from villagers for a one year term and leased them to whoever gave more money.

But, in winter the villagers who had leased the projects wanted to breed shrimps by bringing in salt water from the nearby sea through irrigation canals. They were supported by the concerned authorities.

They carried salt water from the nearby sea to the lake for shrimp culture. The local paddy farmers objected alleging that their paddy fields were being destroyed by saline water. However, they did not take any heed; so many paddy fields became barren.

For instance, in one Maung Nama village tract of Maungdaw Township, about 500 acres of shrimp land were seized by authorities from the villagers for shrimp culture. But, 1,000 acres of paddy fields owned by villagers were destroyed by the saline water. In this way many paddy fields became barren, therefore, there is rice scarcity in Maundaw Township. So, the villagers of Maungdaw Township are dependent on the rice of Buthidaung Township.

Besides, the arable lands of Rohingya villagers were distributed to the Natala (model) villagers, as a result, Rohingya villagers become landless farmers.

A local village elder from Maungdaw said, "The concerned authorities with the cooperation of local influential people are deliberately doing this. They (authorities) knew very well that carrying salt water would destroy the paddy fields."

The neighboring villages are inhabited by Rohingya farmers. The authorities neglect the issue because the damaged paddy fields are owned by Rohingya farmers, said a local farmer on condition of anonymity. ##