Retirees living in apartment buildings surrounding Bogyoke Aung San Stadium on East Circular Road in Taunggyi, southern Shan State, say they are being pressured to sign relocation agreements that would move them to Aye Thar Yar Sub-township, raising concerns over forced eviction and the absence of housing rights protections.

On February 19, officials from the regime’s Shan State government met residents and shop owners to discuss the relocation plan. According to locals, shop owners were instructed to move to apartment blocks near the Taunggyi hot air balloon field, while retirees were told they would be relocated to Min Kyansit Housing in Aye Thar Yar — an area residents describe as remote and sparsely populated.

Residents say those relocated would be required to pay a monthly fee of 30,000 kyats but would not receive formal ownership documents or legal tenancy rights.

“I want justice,” one Taunggyi resident told SHAN. “It feels like they are dumping retirees into a remote corner because we are no longer considered useful. If they are going to move us, it should be fair. They are not relocating everyone within the city. Yesterday, they tried to force us to sign the relocation papers, but I refused.”

According to residents, officials also warned that anyone seeking a room or land plot in Aye Thar Yar must first pay 5 million kyats. Those who refuse to sign the agreements were told they must “take responsibility for themselves,” a phrase residents interpret as a threat of eviction without assistance.

The apartment complex, which has existed for more than 20 years, contains over 160 residential units and 107 shops. Many residents say they have little ability to challenge the order, as appeals or petitions are unlikely to be considered.

“Some retirees are so frail they cannot even walk down the stairs,” said another resident. “Relocating them to a place where hardly anyone lives is unjust. Shop owners might manage, but pensioners have no one advocating for them. Even if we refuse to move, they will eventually evict us. It is their era, and they are doing whatever they want.”
Residents say authorities plan to use heavy machinery to demolish the apartments and shops on February 28.

Officials have justified the removals as part of a development project to construct an international-standard sports stadium complex, including a gymnasium, swimming pool, and youth center. Eviction notices were reportedly issued three times — on December 3, 2025; January 5, 2026; and February 2, 2026.

Local residents warn that the relocation plan risks displacing elderly citizens into isolated housing without legal safeguards, deepening fears that redevelopment will proceed regardless of residents’ consent.