Speaking at a press conference yesterday, he said that in implementing law and order, the government needs to take action on departmental officials who have been found to be insubordinate in their duties as well as to get individual citizen to cooperate in rounding up illegal immigrants.

“We will write a report to the regional government with evidence that has been gathered on current and previous instances where there have been lapses. In some cases, higher ups are not aware of what is happening on the ground.

He urged the government to communicate with its staff and take effective action against those who fail in their responsibilities.

“We cannot enforce the law if the government covers the mistakes of its own people,” said U Thu Seitta.
On the night of May 9, a house in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township was investigated for an illegal settlement.

National activist Ko Latt, aka Tin Htut Zaw from Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township said, “The authorities have not taken any actions although a complaint was filed against the household.”

“They persuaded us to negotiate at the police station. But, the township police chief is only responsible for security. Other matters are beyond his jurisdiction.

“That responsibility falls on the immigration staff. But, officials said that they were only authorized to examine whether the registration cards on the people were counterfeit.

“They said that the township administrator handles the rest. When we asked the township administrator, he said the ward administrator is handling those things.

“We asked the Ward Administrator, but he said that only when the police and immigration staff have made arrests, can he act,” he said.

According to Ko Latt, aka Tin Htut Zaw, the Ward Administrator was rather nonchalant and carried on playing volleyball when he was asked about what action was to be taken. .

A taxi driver who had been observing the situation said he had became aware that there were several people who could not speak in the Myanmar language.

He then reported the matter to the authorities after three days. Several officials went in to investigate the matter and encountered several people that were not able to converse in the local dialect.

Ko Latt, said that he accompanied the police as he was asked to be an eyewitness and informant while the police investigated the matter.

“What we are talking now is not based on heresay. We have sufficient evidence, including photos,” he said.

Referring to the incident that occurred several days ago in Mingalar Tang Nyunt Township, he said the briefing by MPs to local and foreign media contradicted with the real situation.

According Ko Latt’s version, a group of nationalists and the police, including the head of the township, had to flee from the area when residents attacked them with sticks, stones and even knives.

He added that the nationalists had deplored the actions by the MPs who defended the attackers.

Several activists said that if the government can ensure that the law is enforced fairly and take responsibility for the actions by department officials, they need not interfere in matters affecting society.