The discussion ranged from challenges around obtaining national ID to how to cope with insect infestations on crops.

Parliamentarians, government officials and locals participated in a “people’s talk show” in Lashio, northern Shan State as a forum to discuss issues affecting area residents.

The discussion was held at a monastery in Pong Tun village in Lashio Township on June 15, with nearly 200 people in attendance from the communities of Nam Kert, Pa Hser, Nam Luk, and Pong Tun.

Locals told SHAN that the issues raised ranged from insect infestations in cornfields to concerns about road expansion to a lack of learning materials in government schools to challenges regarding paddy and farmland registration and the obtaining of identity documents.

“The respective authorities answered each question,” MP Sai Wan Liang Kham told SHAN. The authorities present reportedly arranged to observe the cornfields in question within days, and measure the farmland and field blocks as requested within weeks. He said they also agreed to “try their best” to issue land ownership forms and consider infrastructure issues.

Ethnic Gurkha families—who often face difficulties obtaining family registration and identity documents—were reportedly told that they need to come to the immigration office monthly to follow up on their documentation requests.

The immigration office is preparing to set up a “one-stop service” center for locals to obtain ID in Pong Tun village tract.