| Supporters of Saffron Revolution denied electricity
May 22, 2008 (DVB)–Due to their support for the monk-led protests last September, some people living in Bahan township have still not had their electricity reconnected after it was cut by the cyclone over two weeks ago.
People living in some townships in Rangoon division got access to electricity 24 hours a day within a few days of the cyclone by bribing officials at the electricity department, residents told DVB.
However, residents on Yaytarshay road in Bahan township are still without power, even though they paid a bribe demanded by officials from the state-run Electric Power Corporation, one resident said.
“We collected 200,000 kyat and gave it to EPC officials but we still don’t have electricity to use,” the resident of Yaytarshay road confirmed.
“Someone close to the EPC told us that we were left out because of our support to monks in the Saffron Revolution.”
A Rangoon resident told DVB that EPC officials had also been demanding money in some townships in Rangoon division to fix lampposts and wiring systems that were affected by the cyclone.
DVB tried to reach Rangoon electricity department for comment but was unsuccessful.
Reporting by Nay Say Phaw
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