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Government revokes recent statement on Lapadaungtaung
Published on Thursday, 29 November 2012 21:18
The government information team has just revoked the statement No 11/2012 which was announced earlier this evening.
The following is the original statement announced at 4 pm today (November 29).
1. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar led by the President is trying to design a new modern democratic nation in accordance with the Constitution in collaboration with the people. In doing so, law, bylaws, rules and regulations are being enacted in various sectors for enabling democratic practices to flourish.
2. The law of the right to peaceful gathering and proceedings was enacted with No. 15 of Union Assembly Law in line with the provisions contained in sub-para (b) of Section 354 of the Constitution. The citizens, as to their wishes, should stage a protest for freedom of speech in accordance with the law.
3. Lapadaungtaung copper mine project has started in the previous government for the economic development for the State. Natural resources are being explored through the least environmental impacts. The project is aimed at further strengthening mutual friendship, creating job employment for local people, acquiring technological assistance and improving economy of the State. Turning a blind eye to these fine objectives, the protesters moved ahead to disrupt the project. With the purpose of disrupting the project, the protesters opened the demonstration camps despite imposing curfew 144 in this project area. The protesters gathered and destroyed project support materials and disturbed the staff and their acts became unlawful.
4. The Ministry of Home Affairs on November 27 issued the announcement that all the protesters must withdraw the demonstrations with the deadline of up to 12 pm on that day. If the protesters do not follow the warning, the ministry will do this issue in accordance with the Constitution. The security forces warned the protesters for several times to move back until the deadline was over.
5. However, the protesters did not give up their demonstration and therefore, Myanmar police force cracked down the protesters phase by phase. In cracking down the protesters, the riot police dispersed the protesters with the partial use of hosepipe, tear gas and smoke bombs. The injured were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment with the management of the regional responsible persons.
6. Such action is taken in accord with democratic practices to restore rule of law and the interest of the country and the people.