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Zomi says:
It is so tragic that we have a government who kill their own people
(instead
of protecting them) and who starve their own people to death (instead of
feeding them).
Victor Biak Lian says:
"This is very cruel action from the Burmese authority. Even if they refuse
to help the local villagers, they should not add to their grievances."
=====
----- Original Message -----
From: Chinland Guardian
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Saturday, April 05, 2008 3:04 PM
Subject: [ZONET] Government corruption fuels famine in Zomi (Chin) state
Government corruption fuels famine in Zomi (Chin) state
Solomon
Mizzima News
April 4, 2008
New Delhi - The ongoing acute food shortage in Zomi (Chin) state of
western
Burma is exacerbated through the corruption of local authorities, a Chin
human rights group re****ts.
The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) on Thursday said that the famine
in Zomi (Chin) state, resulting from a scarcity of food, is worsened by
local authorities who hinder and seize humanitarian aid intended for the
local people.
CHRO said local authorities in Paletwa Town****p oZomi (Chin) state in
January seized more than 300 bags of rice donated by a Roman Catholic
Church
as relief aid for famine victims.
Besides this confiscation, another 150 bags on February of rice donated by
the Church of the Province of Myanmar were also seized and sold for profit
by the same local authorities.
"A mandatory purchasing order was imposed on residents of Paletwa by the
authorities, instructing them to buy the seized rice at an overpriced
rate,"
CHRO said in a statement released on Thursday.
Tera, a representative of CHRO based in India's Mizoram state bordering
Burma, said, "The Chairman of the local town****p peace and development
council led the seizure of rice bags and later resold the confiscated rice
to local people at an overpriced rate."
While a bag of rice in a normal market costs approximately $16,
authorities
ordered locals to buy the seized rice at a rate of approximately $18 per
bag, Tera added.
Since the beginning of 2008, people in Zomi (Chin) state have re****tedly
suffered from a dire shortage of food. According to Zomi (Chin) folklore,
the famine occurs once every 50 years, when rats are released into the
fields and consume all food.
Tera related that there are about 100 villages in Paletwa Town****p and
about
600 villagers from more than 40 villages have fled to the Indian border
seeking relief from the famine.
Victor Biak Lian, a member of CHRO's Board of Directors said, "This is
very
cruel action from the Burmese authority. Even if they refuse to help the
local villagers, they should not add to their grievances."
He added that CHRO plans to come up with an alternative way to help people
with food aid.
CHRO also called on the international community as well as humanitarian
aid
groups to come to the assistance of the Zomi (Chin) people, who are
currently going hungry due to the confluence of famine and ongoing
persecution from authorities.
About Us
-------------------------------------------------------------
Covering Social and Politial Issues of Chin people and Burma
======================================
Chinland Guardian is an independent, internet-based news agency committed
to
providing reliable news and current issues about Chinland and Burma
through
a balanced, objective and professional re****ting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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