Kyauphyu Authorities Nix Pipeline Protest

Local authorities in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, have told residents of Madae island that they can’t hold a protest against a pipeline project being built by the China National Petroleum Corporation. Protest organizers told The Irrawaddy that they planned to demonstrate in front of the company’s offices on Dec. 26, but their request for permission was rejected. Around 300 residents of the island, which is the starting point of the pipeline project, planned to demand compensation for confiscated land, improved wages for locals employed by the company and permission to continue fishing in areas currently off-limits because of the project.