Land plots in Hlaing and Thayaraye wards of Mawlamyine, Mon state, are being resold under a “New Town Project” after the military junta forcibly cleared squatter homes from the area, according to a local source.
Despite official claims that the land would be allocated to retired military officers, sources say that the junta’s ward administrators are instead negotiating land sales with wealthy business owners and developers.
“They said it’s for retired military officers, like what they did in Myine Tharyar. But most of them can’t afford to buy it. So rich landowners and businesspeople are snapping it up. Some tycoons are just holding on to the plots and may resell them later for profit. Since it’s being handled at the national level, they can do as they please,” one Mawlamyine resident said.
The area is being prepared with paved roads, streetlights, and land leveling, but sales are reportedly limited to junta-affiliated businessmen. Ordinary local residents and small-scale entrepreneurs are unable to access the plots.
Prior to the clearance, local authorities under the junta issued eviction notices to squatters living in Hlaing Ward, ordering them to vacate by April 10. The residents were later forcibly relocated.
A human rights activist in Mon State noted that any project implemented under the current political conditions—where the military junta lacks recognition as a legitimate civilian government—cannot be considered legally valid.
“Any housing or urban project initiated by a regime that the people do not recognize as a legitimate civilian government cannot be called lawful. Just like this so-called Hlaing Yadana New Town Project being pushed by the military regime. People here know very well who used to own and live on that land. No matter what they claim, forcibly removing civilians and launching development projects under this situation is unjustifiable,” the activist said.
Since the military coup, land across Mon State has been seized and repurposed under the label of “regional development.” Junta-run local governments, municipal departments, and allied businesspeople have collaborated to convert seized public lands into private commercial ventures.
Ongoing projects include a coal-fired power plant in Chaungzon Township, an international airport and port in Mudon’s Kawparan and Bloc Ywarthit villages, and a riverside recreation zone in Mawlamyine. However, residents affected by these developments have not been properly compensated, and many continue to suffer from the loss of their land without due process or fair payment.
