Southern Shan State needs candidates who are pledged to help poor farmers to recover confiscated land and resolve disputes over forest and natural resources, commented Daw Nan Wah Nu, Director of Thousand Islands Foundation.

The 66th Light Infantry Division (KhaLaYa) recently confiscated 1,353.33 acres of farmlands in Honaung village-tract in Kholan Sub-Township in Namsang Township in the southern Shan State. Many locals are dismayed that 47 among the farmers who lost land are now facing charges for allegedly “trespassing” on their own farmlands seized by the Tatmadaw. So far the farmers have attended six court hearings.

 Ko April Ju Ju, an activist working in the natural resources sector commented: “The candidates should be required to understand the laws and policies related to land disputes. The Kholan sub-township also has EAO groups (ethnic armed organization) as well as Tatmadaw (Army). The elected candidate needs to have a thorough grounding in Shan State’s regional situation and the law, in order to help solve these problems and discuss the relevant policies in parliament.“

 U Hsan Win, Director of Shan State Land Record Department sent a letter dated 29 July, 2020, to the Central Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands, in order to ask whether the Ministry of Defence has a desire to return all confiscated farmlands to the farmers.