"Anti-coal power plant protesters stopped in Kayin", 10 November 2017

Authorities…blocked residents from demonstrating at the site of a proposed coal power plant in Hpa-an township in Kayin State, to express their opposition to the facility.

The protesters, carrying placards inscribed with “We don’t want, No coal”, were not allowed to go near the plant…. 

Police officers impounded the cars of some protesters after they were found to be without licenses. So the protesters have to walk to Hpa-an, according to Saw Eh Doe Soe.

…Hpa-an township’s police force…said that they were just taking actions on cars without licenses….

Toyo Thai Power Myanmar Co Ltd will invest US$3 billion in the coal-fired factory which will be built in Wutt Kyi village ward, Hpa-an township, Kayin State. It will operate for 30 years.  The plant has a capacity of 1,280 megawatts.

“The reason we want to stop it is because the government can’t give assurance that this coal-fired power plant will boost the development of the Kayin State,” said Saw Me Bwe Doh, leader of the protest.

“If it will give side effects, who will solve them as the present state government will only be in power until 2020 while the factory will operate for over 20 years.’’