An administrative officer in Maw Taung, Tanintharyi Region, has been accused of illegally selling 200 acres of land planned for refugees returning from Thailand, Ethnic Affairs Minister Saw Harvy has announced.
The case has been reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Minister publicly questioned the officer on June 9, an affected landowner said.
“This case will be submitted to the chief minister and will be handed over to the Ministry of Home affairs,” said Saw Harvy.
On inspecting the plots of land in question, the Minister found that construction work had already begun on the sold land.
Following the investigation the accused officer has promised to tear down the structures and return the sites to the previous residents.
Residents say that the price of land located near the Thai– Myanmar border trade point has increased dramatically in 2013.
Plots which previously cost just cost 30,000 baht (US$1,000) in 2010 are now priced at up to 100,000 baht.
There are over 1,000 homes in the formerly KNU-controlled village, situated 200km from Myeik Township. The village is populated by mainly Theinkhun Thai, Karen and Burmese people.
