Compensation rates for the project run at 15 million kyat (US$9,837) per acre of paddy field.

Land Seized in Kyaukme Highway ProjectPhoto by – Social Media/ Map of Land Seized in Kyaukme Highway Project

The majority of compensation costs have been paid to farmers who lost land due to the construction of a road and bridge in Kyaukme District, northern Shan State, government officials said.

The project involves a highway and the Gok Thek Bridge.

“There was a meeting yesterday. Nine people from Nawng Kio and 10 people from Kyaukme signed on to the agreement. They received compensation,” Sai Aung Mueng, a member of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy chapter in Nawng Kio town, told SHAN.

According to Sai Aung Mueng, nine out of 16 people in Nawng Kaew and 10 out of 11 farmers in Kyaukme town signed the agreement and received compensation on March on Wednesday. Their land plots had been seized for the transportation project.

“Currently, there are 4 people in Nawng Kaew and one person from Kyaukme remaining… We are helping them to not lose their compensation,” he explained.

Government compensation costs run at 15 million kyat (US$9,837) per acre of paddy field lost, and three times the price of long-term crops. Land plots near the town reportedly command a higher rate.

The Oriental Highway Company received the contract to build a new highway through Kyaukme District.

The new Gok Twin road will be built on total of 499 acres of farmland, including 169 acres of in Kyaukme Township, 329 acres of farmland in Nawng Kaew Township and 36 acres of government-owned land.