Locals worry that a mining company is carrying out the excavation of coal by exceeding permitted land area in Kyethi Township in Loilem District in Shan State.
Hay Hein Company is doing coal mining near Mikehomelane village in Mongkaung village-tract in Kyethi Township, according to a local.
“Hay Hein company is excavating coal. The military council’s infantry battalion-286 provides security. The company is doing road extension and landfill from the entrance of Mikehomelane village to the coal mining site. The company carries coal by 60 to 70 22-wheeled trucks per day,” a local man from Kyethi Township said.
“Locals and monks jointly sent objection letters to the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) several times as the coal mining area is located in the SSPP-controlled area in Mongkaung village-tract. However, the situation has not improved. Locals don’t dare to protest due to the military coup. The people are afraid of martial law,” an activist from Kyethi Township said.
The 22-wheeled trucks loaded with coal have stopped on Mongnaung-Kyethi road till 5:30 pm. At around 6 pm, the trucks left for Lashio, according to locals.
Col Sai Su, Spokesperson of the SSPP/SSA said: “If there is any harm to the public, we will not allow the coal mining. We have allowed them to do the coal-mining on a 500 acre of land with the pledge that the coal mining shall not damage the public’s houses, farm lands and plantations.
However, the company has expanded its coal mining area to more than 700 acres in Kyethi Township. Our representative is scrutinizing it. If it is true, the license will be revoked.”
The companies which have got the green-light for coal mining in Kyethi Township are: Hayhein, MEC company, Nampan company and Tun Myat Aung Company, according to locals.
Locals said that if the coal mining continues, it may affect the Nam Hin River which is crucial for farms in Kyethi township.
Sent by Shan News