Chin people are now supposed to be busy in their farms. But they are being forced to do other kinds of work like road construction, planting Jesthropha and other projects chalked out by the of authorities.

"This is only causing people to suffer because the authorities seem not to be concerned with the agricultural season. Although they say this is for development of the people in reality they are making the people poorer, "said a local.

Local people cannot do farming and harvesting during the agricultural season because they are forced to do other work for more than a week or two weeks at a time by the authorities.

Villagers in Matupi Township are fully engaged in government projects like construction, repair of roads and army camps.

A villager in Pletwa told Khonumthung News that in 2006 the villagers of Paletwa and Matupi township were forced to work in government projects without being informed earlier. They could not do agricultural work on which their livelihood depends.

A report said that the villagers of Chin state were ordered to plant Jesthropha trees and construct army camps in various places. In southern Chin state there is more forced labour.

After the army seized power in 1988, more and more civilians are being forced to work in government projects in Chin state without any payment. - KNG