Junta to confiscate houses at eastern gate of Shwedagon

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

December 3, 2007 – The Burmese military junta will soon confiscate houses near the eastern gate of Burma's most famous Buddhist shrine, Shwedagon Pagoda, and relocate residents, a monk in Rangoon said.

The Monk, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the junta has decided to empty the area, east of Shwedagon, and clear all residents, as many of the residences reportedly supported the monk-led protests in September.

Several residents have also reportedly been arrested for taking part during protests in August and September.

"On September 26, authorities fired tear gas in the vicinity of the eastern gate of Shwedagon. The people living in the ward were enraged and responded with violence, throwing stones at the soldiers," a 33-year-old monk said, explaining why the local people supported the monk-led protests

Despite reconnecting several telephone lines, which authorities had cut-off in September, the phone lines of monasteries located near Shwedagon, including Ma Har Wi Thote Dar Yone and Nyaung Tone, remain disconnected.

"They [the junta] even sealed-off the Maggin monastery, so they have proven that they dare to confiscate the people's residences," the monk said.