The Burmese military junta is selling confiscated land to government employees at cheap rates, said sources from Loikaw, capital of Karenni State.

Seized lands are being sold at only 500,000 Kyat an acre, which is lower than the normal price of one million Kyat an acre.

A resident of Loikaw who is aware of land prices said "They are selling the lands to those, who live in the town like privates, who have come to live there, but mostly they are government employees."

According to the Karenni Social Welfare and Development Center (KSWDC) the lands have been confiscated by the regime since 2008-2009.

The KSWDC Director Khu Phe Bu said most of the lands were taken away without compensation from the residents.

"The army confiscates farms with impunity and the seizure varies. Each battalion has to generate sufficient rations according to army rules. So they confiscate farms of villagers. There has been no talk of compensation,” he said.

The army confiscated 60 acres in Bawlake and 50 acres in Pruso. It also seized an additional 80 acres in Deemawso, Ngwe Taung, and in the industrial zone of Loikaw. It seized 800 acres for the Computer University in Loikaw.