The incident took place on 26 January 2014 when a group of domestic workers, engaged with the Chinese petroleum company, targeted a CNPC building and an oil tank.

The Chin  workers of western Burma attacked the oil & gas pipeline work site at Taung Sauk village under Ann township after clashing with some Chinese employees that resulted in the damage of a two-story building with a tank, said Daw Thway Thway Soe, a local social worker.

According to the social worker, the clash started with the throwing of water bottles by the Chinese employees on the Chin (Burmese) workers from an upper floor.

The police, after arriving in the location, initially detained 34 Burmese workers in connection with incident. Later 11 workers were released on bail and 23 were arrested, added Daw Thway Thway Soe.

Meanwhile, all the arrested Burmese workers were produced at Ann township court on 28 & 29 January. The next hearing date is fixed on 10 February next. The police have charged them in various cases under section no 427, 436 and 425.

“Section 425 is related to the demolish of public properties, where as section 436 relates to the arson attack. On the other hand, section 425 reflects on conspiracy aspect,” added the social worker.

The arrested Chin workers hail from Nga Fay township in Magwe division. They are understandably very poor and even finding it difficult to hire any lawyer for advocating their cases in the court.