Feb 17, 2009 (DVB), Farmers in Rangoon’s New Dagon Port township were disappointed to be given a very small amount of compensation for the more than 6000 acres of farmlands confiscated from them by two companies last year.

Authorities in the township seized land from local farmers at the end of last year for the Shwe Nagar and Shwe Inn Htet companies.

Depending on the amount of land seized, farmers were given either 20,000 kyat, a small plot of land in a different area or both as compensation.

Farmers with a hut and a cart on the land received both 20,000 kyat and a plot of land measuring 20 by 60 foot.

Those with no hut on the land only received the money, while those who only owned a small amount of land with a hut received a new plot of land but no financial compensation.

Aye Thwin, a National League for Democracy member from New Dagon township, said the new land given to the farmers was in a poor location.

"The new land provided for the farmers is located on low ground so it gets flooded during the rainy season and nobody wants to have land there," Aye Thwin said.

"But they fear authorities will also take [the new land] away from them if they make any complaints so they have kept quiet," he said.

"The township NLD members are now preparing a report on all these matters and when it’s done, we will submit it to the headquarters."

Aye Thwin said the township NLD branch would then wait for the opinion of party leaders on what further steps to take.

Reporting by Yee May Aung