Junta Fortifying the Salween Dam Site

Junta Fortifying the Salween Dam Site 

According to sources close to the Shan States Army of Yawdserk, the Burma Army has been, for the past two months, building up their positions along the Salween River near the site which had undergone a five-month long feasibility study until the end of March. 

Saengjuen Sarawin, S.H.A.N.'s principal reporter, who recently returned from his visit to the SSA Base, reports: "Units from 4 Infantry Battalions, 330, 332, 518 and 520, numbering 4-500, came from Mongpan (on the western bank) to keep vigilance on both sides of the river from Ta-sangé to Tasang". 

Tasang is the ferry crossing between Mongpan Township on the western bank and Mongton Township on the eastern. A few kilometers north is the projected dam site where feasibility studies took place in late October last year by a Thai company. 

In addition, there are 8 motorboats that patrols along the river, said the sources. "The aim looks to be two-fold", said one. "First, to prevent the Shan fighters from crossing back and forth along that stretch, and, second, to insure security for the dam site".