News Brief

News Brief

Wa people forced to relocate, said Thai villager

A Thai villager in Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province, told S.H.A.N. yesterday the Wa populace along the Chinese border was forced by their leadership, some on short notice, to move to Mongton Township, opposite Chiangdao. 

A Lahu villager from the same area also said some families were suddenly broken up when relocations came during the absence of husbands or wives. He said no less than 10,000 Wa have arrived to resettle in Mongton. 

On 18 December alone, 250 families were resettled in the villages of Banmai Namhu, Namarklwe and Htam Hpakhao. The last village is near the strategic mountain of Loihtwe overlooking Thailand. 

"4 were found dead when one of the ten-wheelers' rain-proof canvas sheets were lifted in Nakawngmu (Mongton) to allow the passengers to disembark," said another source. No details were given, however. 

Shan radio program to increase broadcasting time 

The Shan radio program for Democratic Voice of Burma informed S.H.A.N. this morning that it is planning to increase its broadcasting time. 

"Up to now we are only allowed to broadcast once a week and only 15 minutes each time," said Mawnkhurh, the program's director. "We hope to increase it in accordance with the wishes of our listeners as soon as Nang Mwe-ngern (member of the Program and Mawkhurh's wife) is back from her training abroad." 

Shan DVB can be listened to every Wednesday, 2145 hr (Rangoon Time) at 49-meter band 5,945 kilohertz, 25-meter band 11,850 kilohertz and 16 meter band 17,485 kilohertz simultaneously.