A dispute arose over land ownership between Maung Maung, resident of plot - map No. 59 [field No. 24 (4/5)] in Yemontaung Quarter, Mahaaungmyay Township in Mandalay Region, and the Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC). The MCDC has ordered him to leave the plot of land for the sixth time.
On August 1, Maung Maung and MCDC officials had a heated argument, after which security police was posted around the plot.
“They forced my family to move six times. I will accept their claim if they are right. But their evidence is not genuine. They do not have enough evidence. If they can come up with the map officially issued by the land records department, we will leave today”, said Maung Maung.
Soe Ma Ma Yin, a court staff advising the MCDC said, “We are doing it in accordance with the law. But they refused to comply. We will continue what we are doing.”
Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu from Mandalay’s Masoe Yein Monastery is mediating between Maung Maung and the MCDC. He has requested the Township Chief to help in the negotiations. “We will not decide who will win. We will urge the two sides to negotiate,” he said.
“I want others to help them justly. We do not live in an era where the rich wins lawsuits. The side that loses the lawsuit must be explained that it is in accordance with the law. If they (Maung Maung and his family) are forced to destroy (their house) and leave right now, where will they live? (We) need to show humanity,” added Ashin Wirathu.
The security police who were posted around the land said, “We came here to provide security. Whatever they face will be in accordance with the law. We do not have the right to arrest them.”
