Over a hundred of people have been forced to build a security camp near the coal mining project in Nam Sang township, Southern Shan State.

Around 29-30 March 2022, 106 villagers from Nong Mo village, Nong Hee tract, Nam Sang township, were forced to construct a new security base located about one mile away from the new coal mining project.

“The reason of building the new security camp could be related to the new coal mining project. They usually do that when damns will be built or when environment will be damaged. They do it to provide security to the sites, it was done in the past. Therefore, this new camp could be because of the new mining project,” Sai Hor Hseng, the spokesperson of Shan Human Right Foundation (SHRF) told SHAN.

According to the spokesperson, the new camp was built in a farm land owned by Long Sar who lives in Nam Mo village, and the military junta did not inform or get permission from the land owner. Moreover, villagers were forced to dig bunkers, cut woods and build the fence for the new camp.

“Over 30 soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 553 are there. They were not based here in the past. They arrived here around end of March. They stay at the government schools, and they are forcing the natives to build the base for them. This is clearly human rights abuses,” Sai Hor Hseng added.

According to the permit list announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conversation under the military government in November 2021, five coal mining projects permit on a 500 acres of land in Nong Hee tract, Nam Sang township was included.

According to the statement released by SHRF, all the five mining projects permit was granted to Mandalay Distribution and Mining Company, a subsidiary of Ngwe Yi Pale Company.