Army wiping out population in the flood area of the dam project

Army wiping out population in the flood area of the dam project, say villagers

Villagers in southern Shan State, in a letter to S.H.A.N., have accused Rangoon of exterminating the population in the flood areas of the projected dam on the Salween. 

The letter, written on 10 July, that took more than a month to reach S.H.A.N, said: Since 1997, villages in Kunhing Township, along the banks of the Salween and its tributary, Nampang, have been depopulated and relocated. And since 9 May, when the Shan State Army "South" of Yawdserk and the SPDC army clashed between Kali and Hpanglang (east of Kunhing), the offensive launched by the LID 99 has not let up. 

Altogether 12 tracts consisting of 175 villages, 4,018 houreholds and 3,312 acres of fields in Kunhing township alone are in fear of inundation when the dam is built. According to the list provided, the troch are Hsaimong, Wanhpai, Wantong, Kenglom, Wianghpui, Hoyarn, Kengkham, Nawngkham, Mongkhong, Pakuey, Takaw and Hsenmawng. 
Altogether, 11 townships are reported to be in the flood area, namely, Kunhing, Monghsu (Gemland), Mongpan, Tangyan, Mongyai and Hsenwi on the west bank, and Kunlong, Manhpang, Pangyang, Mongpiang and Mongton on the east bank.

The damsite is in Tasang, north of the newly inaugurated Tasang Bridge, between Mongton and Mongpan townships. "Final studies" are being conducted by the GMS Power, a Thai company.