Friday, August 11, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Following Talks, NCA Signing Remains on Hold for UNFC

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 09:42 AM PDT

YANGON — Ethnic armed alliance the United Nationalities Federal Council  (UNFC) remains undecided on signing the country's nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), following the sixth round of formal talks with the government's Peace Commission, held at the National Reconciliation and Peace Center in Yangon on Thursday and Friday.

The UNFC has stood by a nine-point proposal that must be met in order for its five members to sign the agreement, and asked that it be added as an appendix to the NCA. Represented in the UNFC are the Shan State Progress Party, the New Mon State Party, the Lahu Democratic Union, the Karenni National Progressive Party, and the Arakan National Council.

Of the two-day meeting, government spokesperson U Zaw Htay said, "Half of the points were generally agreed upon as a result of the sixth round of talks. Discussion concerning the other half must be presented to the leaders of both sides for a final decision."

U Twan Zaw, the UNFC's joint general secretary, said on Friday that the policy framework was still unclear, and that leaders would need to approve any policy matters.

The remaining points of concern for the parties pertain to ceasefire rules, the military's code of conduct, terms of reference for ceasefire monitoring, and the relocation of troops.

The UNFC has argued that the ceasefire monitoring team should include international legal experts and judges who are acceptable to both the government and the ethnic armed groups. They have also asked that natural resource and development projects in ceasefire areas be undertaken in consultation with locals and carried out in accordance with procedures laid out in the standards like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

In his opening remarks to the discussions on Thursday, UNFC joint general secretary Khu Oo Reh said that even after 14 months of talks, the trust level remained at "zero." Meanwhile, government representatives said that they hoped the sixth round of talks would lead to a signing of the NCA.

Among the NCA's eight ethnic armed group signatories, the Restoration Council of Shan State and the Karen National Union have pointed out weaknesses in implementing the NCA, which was signed into action nearly two years ago.

U Zaw Htay admitted that points exist within the political framework of the NCA framework that need to be amended, and that it would be reviewed with the ethnic armed organizations.

"The second round of the 21st Century Panglong conference was formed as a political debate for policy framework. The first round of the conference was just an opening ceremony," he added, referring to the government's peace conference. The third session is scheduled to be held no later than December.

Chair of the government's National Reconciliation and Peace Center U Tin Myo Win said he, "hope[s] for a pathway through the peace process to appear, by fulfilling the points of the discussions with UNFC as much as we can after presenting to the government."

"If we can pass this point, the peace process will not stop or move backwards. It will keep going forward, toward peace," he added.

The seventh round of talks between representatives of the Peace Commission and the UNFC will be held in September.

The post Following Talks, NCA Signing Remains on Hold for UNFC appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

At Political Forum, State Counselor Urges Break With the Past

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 08:38 AM PDT

NAYPYITAW — Myanmar's State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has urged the government officials to break "the shackles of the past" as part of the country's democratic transition.

"The victims of the past, those who can't shatter the shackles of the past, have caused a lot of hindrances in the democratic transition," said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her opening remarks to the Forum on Myanmar's Democratic Transition which kicked off in Naypyitaw on Friday.

"The past is only about learning lessons. The most important thing for us is the present. Think simply: What you are doing for the democratic struggle?" she asked.

Under the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, the Myanmar Army still holds three key ministries—home affairs, defense and border affairs—and the entire administration is still largely dominated by associates of the previous governments, though the top positions are held by the National League for Democracy (NLD). Political analysts have pointed out that this indicates resistance from the old guard in the deregulation and reform process.

The three-day forum seeks input on smoothing the democratic transition in Myanmar, and is being attended by political scientists, diplomats, and researchers from political and economic fields.

The forum will mainly discuss the topics on the shifts from a military to civil administration, from a centralized to a market economy, and from wars to peace.

"The government officials need to look far ahead and be dutiful in undertaking their responsibilities," Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said.

Min Ko Naing, a prominent leader of the 88-Generation Peace and Open Society, touted rule of law as an important factor in the transition.

"A [smooth] civil-military relationship is impossible with a sensitive attitude—when we tell the truth, there will be sore points. If those who are aggrieved [by the military's actions] can tolerate [the oppression], then those who inflict this [suffering] should now demonstrate maturity. We need that," Min Ko Naing said.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said: "Some think that the country will automatically achieve peace if there is development. I don't agree that view. We can't view peace and development separately. Without peace, development can't be sustained for long, and vice versa."

"So, we are working for peace as our top priority," she said.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

The post At Political Forum, State Counselor Urges Break With the Past appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Conspirator in U Ko Ni Killing Still At Large

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 06:18 AM PDT

More than six months after the midday assassination at the Yangon International Airport, Aung Win Khaing—one of the main suspects in National League for Democracy (NLD) legal adviser U Ko Ni's killing—is still at large, with police staying silent about progress in their search for him.

According to a Yangon Region Police Force press conference on Feb. 25, Aung Win Khaing was last seen near the National Herbal Park in administrative capital Naypyitaw.

U Ko Ni was fatally shot at close range outside the airport upon his return from an official trip abroad on Jan. 29. Police have since arrested four conspirators—Aung Win Zaw, Aung Win Htun, Zeyar Phyo and the gunman Kyi Linn.

The Myanmar Police Force issued an arrest warrant for Aung Win Khaing and sent his photos to Asean police forces and Interpol. But the whereabouts of the wanted man remain unknown.

"A witness testified that Aung Win Khaing was seen at an office in Naypyitaw two days before police searched it on Feb. 12. But the police didn't testify to that. So, I asked the court to interrogate all of the witnesses, but the court rejected my request," lawyer U Nay La, who is representing U Ko Ni's family, told The Irrawaddy.

Police searched the National Herbal Park months ago, but to no avail.  Though police have suggested that Aung Win Khaing is still in the country, they have not publicly revealed progress in their search for him.

Lawyer U Nay La said he is not satisfied with the police investigation.

"If police are to arrest a criminal, they should carry out a related investigation about activities prior to the crime. But they haven't," he added,

"The criminal was in Naypyitaw for more than 10 days after committing the crime but they couldn't apprehend him. And they didn't interrogate the witnesses who testified at the court. They only testified that they had issued an arrest warrant," said U Nay La.

The Irrawaddy was not able to obtain a comment from the Naypyitaw Police Headquarters or the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Aung Win Khaing is a retired Lt-Col in the Myanmar Army and was a graduate of the No. 36 Intake of the Defense Services Academy.

The trial has been ongoing at the Yangon Southern District Court, with 19 weekly court dates held on Fridays.

Lawyer U Robert San Aung, who is representing the family of U Nay Win, a taxi driver killed by Kyi Linn while he attempted to apprehend him, has criticized the slow court hearings.

According to him, the court is still examining witnesses, and has so far only questioned 19 out of 80 witnesses because the hearings generally last no more than an hour and a half.

Previously, the court was hearing two witnesses at each appearance, but this week, it heard five.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

The post Conspirator in U Ko Ni Killing Still At Large appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

ANALYSIS:  Myanmar Army Deployed in Maungdaw

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 06:08 AM PDT

In a surprise move, Myanmar Army leaders decided to dispatch an army battalion to troubled Rakhine State this week.

The troops arrived in state capital Sittwe on Thursday.

National Security Adviser U Thaung Tun told reporters after a forum on democratic transition in Naypyitaw on Friday that the Tatmadaw was stepping up to its responsibility investigate militant camps in Mayu mountain range and protect civilians in Maungdaw Township.

The dispatch followed a two-hour meeting between Arakan National Party (ANP) members and military commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Wednesday.

Just back from a week-long trip to Japan, the commander-in-chief hastily approved the closed-door ANP meeting.

The politicians did most of the talking, according to sources close to the matter, and requested a boost in northern Rakhine security after six ethnic Mro were killed in Maungdaw Township last week.

Since the attack, civilians—mainly ethnic Rakhine and Rakhine sub-ethnic Mro—have fled their homes.

Rakhine politicians were clearly alarmed by the developing situation and asked to hold an emergency security meeting.

Also present at the meeting was deputy commander-in-chief of defense services and army commander-in-chief Vice-Snr-Gen Soe Win as well as chief of general staff (army, navy and air) Gen Mya Tun Oo. The ANP delegation was headed by chairman Dr. Aye Maung.

ANP leaders initially approached the office of State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for a meeting. It is unclear why the meeting did not take place.

Around the same time, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also held a meeting to discuss security issues with the home and border affairs ministries.

The ANP then turned to the military and the seven-member delegation marched to the offices of Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Following the meeting, ANP lawmaker U Pe Than, who represents Myebon Township in the Lower House, told The Irrawaddy: "We've officially asked for further deployment of Tatmadaw forces for the security of Rakhine State."

"We pointed out that existing security forces are too small to protect ethnic villages," he continued. "The army chief said the Tatmadaw has large forces and that he would increase the troops if necessary."

Less than 48 hours after the meeting with ANP politicians, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing gave the green light to dispatch fully-equipped troops belonging to 33rd Light Infantry Division by air to Sittwe, despite bad weather.

The military was clearly ready for such a speedy deployment.

"The army chief said he would fully protect ethnic groups in Rakhine State and that he would take care of the routes that [immigrants] use to come in illegally, and make sure the Mayu mountains are not used by militants," said ANP delegation member U Oo Hla Saw, who is a Lower House member of Parliament for Mrauk U Township.

The UN recently warned aid workers in western Myanmar of rising hostility and imminent protests from troubled Rakhine State's majority Buddhists, some of whom claim humanitarian agencies are giving support to Rohingya Muslim militants.

Reuters obtained the text of a "precautionary security notification" distributed to the 300 or so UN staff and to international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in Rakhine on Wednesday.

It notes the "increased likelihood of civil unrest" and the possibility of demonstrations at aid agency offices in the state already racked by violence.

The Irrawaddy first reported a shift in security operations to focus on the Mayu Mountains in northwestern Rakhine in June. Three suspected militants were killed by security personnel in two days of raids that month.

Several weeks ago, an intelligence source in Asia told The Irrawaddy some 300 Muslim Rohingya were undergoing foreign-funded training using automatic rifles in the Mayu mountains.

The Irrawaddy was unable to verify these claims.

At Wednesday's meeting, the ANP also asked Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing to segregate Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State's Maungdaw Township.

"Ethnic [Rakhine] villages are surrounded by Bengali villages, so, we called for designating No-Bengali zones in the area," U Khin Maung Latt of the ANP, who was at the meeting, told The Irrawaddy.

The stateless Rohingya Muslim population of 1.1 million in Rakhine is referred to as "Bengali" by many in the state and the government, to infer that they are interlopers from Bangladesh.

The two communities remain largely separated since inter-communal violence in 2012 and 2013 displaced around 140,000 people, the vast majority of them Muslim Rohingya.

Myanmar Army-led security operations in northern Rakhine—mired in allegations of extensive human rights abuses—in response to attacks on border guard posts that killed nine police in October 2016 continued until mid February this year.

It is unclear what the military has planned for security operations, possibly in the Mayu mountains, and how long they will last.

The post ANALYSIS:  Myanmar Army Deployed in Maungdaw appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Detained Journalist Urges Top Leaders to Understand Media’s Role

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 05:13 AM PDT

HSIPAW, Shan State — U Aye Naing, one of three detained journalists facing trial for an unlawful association charge, has urged the country's top leaders to try to grasp the nature of the job of a journalist.

"I would like to tell President U Htin Kyaw, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Army Chief [Snr-Gen] Min Aung Hlaing that they might know what Article 17(1) [of the Unlawful Associations Act] is. But they should try to understand what media is," U Aye Naing told the media and supporters outside of Hsipaw Court on Friday when asked a question by The Irrawaddy.

"If they appreciate that the media plays an important role in national reconciliation, they should put what they think into practice," he said.

The three journalists appeared at court on Friday for their third trial. They have been in prison for 46 days since their arrest.

"Not to mention armed groups like the TNLA [Ta'ang National Liberation Army, which the journalists were arrested for contacting]…even if international terrorist organizations like ISIS said they had information for us, we would have to go and risk our lives," said U Aye Naing.

U Aye Naing also criticized that an army major, one of the complainants against the journalists, did not appear to give testimony in court on Friday as planned, providing the excuse that he was on military duty.

"We have to stay in prison another week [since he didn't show up to testify]," he said. "This means, if five of them don't show due to military duties, that's five more weeks we'll wait in prison," he added.

"They are making an example of us to threaten the media. This arrest is a threat to the right to information and press freedom," another detained journalist Ko Pyae Phone Aung told supporters.

"The State Counselor has said that legislation that does not fit with the current times should be changed. Now is the time to do so. Article 17(1) must be scrapped if the country wants peace," said detained journalist Lawi Weng.

"The country will go nowhere with the oppression of the media," said U Aye Naing.

The Irrawaddy reporter Lawi Weng and Democratic Voice of Burma reporters U Aye Naing and Ko Pyae Phone Aung were arrested on June 26 in Namhsan on their way back from covering a drug-burning ceremony held by ethnic armed group the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) to mark the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse.

Six men – three journalists, two drivers and a local man – were traveling in two vehicles near Phayagyi village, and were arrested on the road between Namhsan and Lashio townships on suspicion of connection with the TNLA, which operates in the area.

The journalists and a local man were charged under Article 17(1) of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act for contacting the TNLA, while the drivers received additional charges for the two unlicensed vehicles. They were placed in detention in Hsipaw Prison.

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission member U Yu Lwin Aung met with the three detained journalists Wednesday, and said that they did not break the law.

The post Detained Journalist Urges Top Leaders to Understand Media's Role appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Peace Process Team Calls to Review NCA Misunderstandings

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 05:09 AM PDT

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) of eight ethnic group signatories to the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) said a Joint Ceasefire Implementation Committee Meeting (JICM) needed to be called to review misunderstandings that emerged after the second session of the 21st Century Panglong peace conference in May.

The JICM, whose representatives are from the government, Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), have the authority to make decisions on the review of the NCA.

The PPST, led by the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), held a two-day meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Aug. 9-10.

The misunderstandings from the peace conference were due to a "lack of common understanding of the NCA provisions, vagueness regarding decision-making power and inadequate time," said U Than Khe, the chairman of the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), at a press briefing after Thursday's meeting.

"Thus, joint implementation and joint ceasefire monitoring have not been in place," he said, adding that they have focused their efforts on implementing them.

At the KNU headquarters in Lay Wah from July 20-27, the PPST held review meetings on the strengths and weaknesses of the NCA, including the 37 principles, which were agreed to as Part 1 of the Union Accord in Naypyitaw in May.

Its Peace Process Working Team (PPWT) also had a series of talks this week, as well as talks with the government peace commission on August 3. The results of the talks were then brought to PPST leaders.

Col Khun Okkar, a PPST spokesperson, said: "our reviews were based on an optimistic approach in order to achieve the NCA implementation and the overall attainment of the peace process."

He added that the reviews on NCA implementation were done to build strong principles for the peace process, and urged stakeholders—from the government, and national and international observers—not to worry, in light of questions regarding whether the peace process would come undone.

Khun Okkar said there would be changes made to have a more collaborative approach in the future among concerned NCA implementation mechanisms, working committees and secretariats, and that these changes would start after October 15, the two year anniversary of the signing of the NCA.

The PPST wants to change the implementation structure as well as the approach, but will continue under the current structure for the next two months to maintain understanding among the government, Myanmar Army, political parties and EAOs.

Maintaining understanding, which the PPST refers to, is in regard to a KNU shuffle in July in which the KNU moved to replace its own vice chairman Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win—also the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) vice chairman—with the KNU's current general secretary Padoh Saw Tadoh Moo in the role of the UPDJC delegate. The shift has concerned stakeholders, and the delegate position would need to be approved by the other NCA signatories.

The government has voiced concerns that this replacement would affect the peace process, and that the change in UPDJC representation would affect unity and understanding.

PPST leaders said they hoped that there would be more NCA signatories in the near future, and this is why they were taking the time to restructure the NCA implementation bodies and review the political dialogue framework.

In a statement, the PPST said it hoped that talks on Friday between the government and the United Nationalities Federal Council would yield positive results.

The post Peace Process Team Calls to Review NCA Misunderstandings appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Detained Journalists Reapply for Bail in Unlawful Association Trial

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 12:59 AM PDT

HSIPAW, Shan State — The lawyers of three detained journalists submitted a bail request for the second time, after the Hsipaw Township Court rejected the initial appeal last week.

At Friday's court hearing, lawyers appealed for bail for six men including three journalists from The Irrawaddy and DVB who were detained while reporting in the area by the military and later charged under Article 17(1) of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act.

The court heard a witness [a local resident] from the prosecutor's side on Friday but a military official who was scheduled to appear at the court for testimony did not show, with the excuse given that he was on military duty.

The defendant's lawyers stated at the court that they requested bail again as the accusations against the journalists were not strong enough to build a case or charge them under the Unlawful Associations Act.

After the court hearing, the police sent the journalists directly back to Hsipaw Prison, where they have been detained for 46 days, despite a request made to leave them in police custody behind the court for a half hour to have lunch and meet with family members.

The three journalists—Irrawaddy senior reporter Lawi Weng (U Thein Zaw) and Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reporters U Aye Naing and Ko Pyae Phone Aung—were arrested on June 26 while covering a drug-burning ceremony in Ta'ang National Liberation Army-controlled area.

"The case has been wrong from the start. We were denied bail… this is an intentional threat against us and the next generation to stop reporting on and contacting ethnic armed groups. But nothing will frighten our colleagues," U Aye Naing of the DVB told reporters outside of the court before being sent back to prison.

Supporters and family members of the journalists shouted at the court to stop oppressing the media.

The court will rule on the bail appeal on August 18.

The post Detained Journalists Reapply for Bail in Unlawful Association Trial appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pyin Oo Lwin Farmers Returned to Jail

Posted: 11 Aug 2017 12:04 AM PDT

MANDALAY – A Pyin Oo Lwin Township Court judge revoked bail on Thursday for Ko Toe Gyi and eight other farmers and activists from Pyinsar village in Pyin Oo Lwin Township who have been on trial since August 2016 on charges of trespassing and bodily harm.

"The district court terminated their bail as the plaintiff submitted an appeal to reject the bail," said U Lin Aung Thu, the judge of Pyin Oo Lwin Township Court.

"I have to act according with the law and have to sent them back to prison."

Activist Ko Myo Win and one of the farmers were not present at court. The judge gave the pair 15 days to present themselves to the court before charging the person who posted bail 5,000,000 kyats.

The remaining seven were sent to Mandalay's Obo Prison.

Meanwhile, the court released on bail another 13 farmers facing similar charges for ploughing the same piece of land in Pyinsar.

"We do not want any compensation or money. We just want our land back," said one of the farmers Ma Myint Myint Win.
In 1998, about 500 acres of lands in Pyinsar village were confiscated by the ministry of agriculture for a coffee plantation project.

The ministry promised to return the land if the project was not a success, according to the nine farmers.

The land, however, was sold on to private companies and military cronies when the government coffee project was called off.

Last year, farmers began farming the confiscated land, leading to altercations with the private owners who later filed a case against them.

"I have to question why the government keeps neglecting farmers whose lands were confiscated and are now facing lawsuits or kept behind bars," said Ko Toe Gyi, after the court session, before being sent to the prison.

The post Pyin Oo Lwin Farmers Returned to Jail appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Villager Asks State Counselor for Electricity, Gets Her Wish

Posted: 10 Aug 2017 07:41 PM PDT

WUNDWIN, Mandalay — Nearly one month before State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited Wundwin Township in Mandalay, Daw Mya San Yi was already excited for the chance to make a request to her.

The State Counselor was set to attend an event billed as peace talks with rural villagers on August 7.

Daw Mya San Yi's request was simple—to have electricity, which she had dreamed of for years. And she believed that electrifying her village in the coming years would be a possibility, if she could just talk to Myanmar's de facto leader.

However, it is not that her entire village lacks electricity. Villagers have formed a committee to supply electricity on a self-reliant basis – a system widely applied in rural areas in which the electricity ministry installs transformers, cables and meter boxes, and concerned villages assume the cost.

Of 250 households in Daw Mya San Yi's village, 85 already had electricity at the time of the State Counselor's visit, but she belonged to the group that went without.

Many households had already paid varying amounts for access to electricity. Daw Mya San Yi paid 150,000 kyats, but she could not afford to pay the balance – 550,000 kyats plus the price of cables.

So, she went to the village administrator's home to see if he could get her a seat at the State Counselor's event.

"He told me he could, but then later said our village only got 10 seats, and I wouldn't be given one. I was upset because I wanted to talk to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," she told The Irrawaddy on Monday.

So, instead of going to the talk in Myay Taing Kan village, she went to a farm in her village. She brought tea to the farmers and then went home to watch the talks on TV. She heard the State Counselor talk of electricity and peace.

"Then, I heard Mother Suu tell the crowd to be quiet and that she would allow them to speak after the event," Daw Mya San Yi recounted.

Hearing this, she decided to go to Myay Taing Kan village, and found someone to take her on his motorbike.

The talk was not yet over when she got there, and a few people in the crowd told her to wait, as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had promised to allow villagers to speak after the event.

And she kept her word, saying she would allow about three people from the crowd to speak.

Daw Mya San Yi ran onto the stage. And luckily, she was the first to speak to the State Counselor.

"I'm Ma Mya San Yi from Nyaungbintha-Se village. I heard on TV that outsiders would be allowed to speak after the event so I came running at the risk of my life," said Daw Mya San Yi, which drew a round of loud applause.

"Mother Suu, there are 250 houses in our village, 85 of them have electricity, and the remaining houses are around 400 to 500 feet away [from the lampposts used to link overhead cables]. We have to buy 400 to 500 feet of cable, and pay 700,000 kyats. We can't afford it. I've paid 150,000 kyats," she told the State Counselor.

As she talked about people who have been able to start businesses thanks to the electricity in the village, she broke down in tears.

"We still don't have electricity. I am sad, mother. Please solve this. Not immediately. But please help us get electricity in a year or two. I would be satisfied if you could do that," she told Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi listened and then talked privately with Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Zaw Myint Maung for a few minutes.

"I know that electricity is needed across the entire country. We have to find solutions to solve these problems together with people," the State Counselor said.

She did not make immediate promises, but said that her government would work to find ways to help villages that had gone down the self-reliant path.

But Daw Mya San Yi's hopes were realized. After the talks were broadcast on state media, two donors contributed 10 million kyats each, making it possible for the remaining houses to get electricity.

"I didn't think it would happen immediately. I would have been happy if it took a couple years. I just asked for it because I cannot afford 700,000 kyats," she said.

Around 50 households who already paid 150,000 kyats were told they would get hooked up to electricity first with the donor contributions, said Daw Than Aye of Nyaungbintha-Se village.

Across Myanmar, there are many villages like Daw Mya San Yi's that still do not have electricity. According to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, only some 30,000 of more than 63,000 villages had access to electricity as of May.

The day after the local peace talks, 17 officials from the Wundwin Township electricity department went to Nyaungbintha-Se Village.

"They said that they had received an order from upper-level authorities and that we would get electricity. I was so happy; I even treated them to fried noodles," Daw Mya San Yi said.

The post Villager Asks State Counselor for Electricity, Gets Her Wish appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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