- reported by Hseng Khio Fah, Shan Herald Agency for News

The junta’s plan to build railroad between Kengtung, eastern Shan State and Namzang, southern Shan State, has shaken villagers in Kengtung  who are afraid their farms will be confiscated and they will be subjected to forced labor for the construction, according to sources.

On 26 October, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council, Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Ya Pyae, Minister of  Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min and Deputy Minister U Pe Than  came to  examine the areas between Namzang and Kengtung for the construction, according to New Light of Myanmar.

Namteng creek running near Kholam  and Nampan creek at Kunhing were chosen for the construction sites, said a local villager who wishes to be anonymous. “They [junta] will build rail-bridge over the creeks.”

On the following day, the commander and the ministers met Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyo, Commander of Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command and chose sites to construct rail bridge on the Thanlwin (Salween) at Takaw bridge and Tongta near Mongpiang.

The areas between Takaw to Mongpiang, 49 miles, are full of valleys and mountains.

“Hundreds of villagers will be forced to work for the construction,” predicted a villager.

Many people died during the 102 -mile Loikaw-Aungban railroad construction.

Afterwards, the junta inspected to build railway station near Kengtung University.

The areas near Keng Tung University which chosen for the station area are owned by farmers from Na Kham village, Keng Phawng village tract, said a villager near Kengtung University.

“We are afraid our farms and lands will be confiscated by them [authorities]. We don’t know what to do,” said a farmer in Na Kham.

There are many villages on the way from Namzang to Kengtung, 208 miles. The railroad from Taunggyi to Namzang was completed only a few years earlier.