Forced labour, which had eased somewhat before the November 2010 elections, is back. People are being forced to work for a monk and three military families in Vangkai village, Matupi township, Chin state for a hydro- electric project from last December.

The hydro-electric project is on the Pata River located between Vangkai and Satak village and the materials are being carried from 25 miles away from Matupi town, said a local.

“One member from each family is forced to carry machines and cement bags for the electricity project from Matupi town. They are being made to dig 20 feet ditches to place the machines near the river,” he added.

The project is being handled by the Matupi town based military and they will give priority to a monk and three military families in Vangkai village when electricity is available.

“The discrimination is religious in nature,” said a local.

Most Chin people are in dire need of electricity for their children’s education. They are using self-support electricity in some villages while Rihkhawdar sub-town and Zokhaw thar, Falam township on the Indo-Myanmar border areas are using electricity from Mizoram northeast state of India.