11 July 2011: The people are getting more rights to speak out under the new government of Burma led by Mr. Hung Ngai, Chief Minister of Chin state, Burma than during the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) era.
“Ministers of Chin state and departmental officials can be critical during the Hluttaw session and the authorities are more responsive,” said a town elder of Than Tlang Township.
Freedom of speech was restricted by the military junta in the past, added the town elder.
“We reported a local policeman to the Chief Minister for insulting and threatening local people. Mr. Hung Ngai took action and the policeman is in Than Tlang lock up now,” said an officer of Than Tlang.
He added that the new government of Chin state has been transferring some departmental officials to different places in the state, because they were misusing power and maintaining transparency between the people and government officials.
“The authorities transferred a township doctor, the Director of Township and a law official to different places,” said an officer.
The Chin state Chief Minister has warned the state assembly representatives not to maintain contacts with the outside media or else they will be produced in court, fined Kyats one lakh, with a year in prison and dismissal from their posts at an emergency assembly session on 29 and 30 June. Khonumthung News