Roundup: Myanmar launches squatter clearance plan for regional development

Myanmar 's Yangon region government is launching a squatter clearance plan for development of the region which will compile a list of illegal occupants of land within 45 days to conduct research on the regional development.

Identities will be issued to squatters, setting that transfer of ownership of the identity cards to anyone other than the card recipient is not allowed.

A regional order is to be released in designated areas to compile list of local squatters, Yangon region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein said, warning that those squatters who oppose the order will be arrested and charged.

Action will be taken against listed squatters if they are found dwelling in other places and there will be no right for any person to illegally occupy any place for residence after proper relocation, announced the chief minister.

Pledging to crack down on gangs enjoying squatting benefit, the chief minister assured of accommodation at temporary shelters and jobs will be found for them.

Regional Security Minister Col Tin Aung Tun said there would be no room for criminals on squatting locations which have become a haven for them.

There are more than 8,000 squatter houses in Yangon's Hlaingtharya township where Yangon's biggest industrial zone lies and more than 600,000 people are residing in them .

Squatting in Yangon is categorized into five different types in which the squatting of homeless people for housing need and that for commercial purpose are included.

With the number of squatters growing year by year, figures show that there are estimated a total of 430,050 squatters in four districts of Yangon covering north, south, east and west districts.

A total of 53 percent of all Myanmar interstate migration is to Yangon as reported by the Social Policy and Poverty Research Group.

The measures are part of the new government's 100-day program, aimed at improving the living standard of people at basic level. Endit