News Brief along the border

News Brief along the border

Laborer for free dies free 

Late in February (exact date unavailable), villagers from Mongton, Monghsat Township (opposite Chaingrai Province) were charged by LIB (Light Infantry Battalion) 553 to build trenches and bunkers. Sai Hsi, male, 24 (Father, deceased; Mother, Nang Khai), while felling a tree was slow to evade a falling tree and killed instantly. No compensation was reported given. 

Nabbed on suspicion or for ransom? 

Sai Hsai male, 22, (Parents Kham and Nang Li), a farmer from Hokhang village, Mongkok Tract was accused by the police from Monghsat as spying for the Shan State Army of Yawdserk and put to jail. He was to be released only after a fine of B. 20,000 was paid. (The report did not mention whether or not it had been paid). 

Sai Hsai is married to Nang Hawng, 22 (Parents Loong Kham and Pa Khawng). 

Villagers forbidden from visiting their farms

Since the operation against SSA began, people in Nayao and Mongkarn tracts, Monghsat Township, have been barred by the military authorities from going to their farms around their villages. They were told that anybody seen away from their villages would be shot on sight. 

Resettlers are not Wa, say villagers

Villagers who fled into Thailand told S.H.A.N. recently that their farms and ricefields were being confiscated by Wa resettlers, who came a year ago. "Most of them are not Wa from Pangsang. They are, on the contrary, either ethnic Chinese or Chinese of Wa descendants." 

The villagers said they were also disappointed with the SSA from being slow to help address their grievances. 

Quiet observance of Armed Forces Day 

Tachilek is quiet today (27 March) except for reports of more reinforcements going to the area opposite Mae Fah Luang, the district adjoining Maesai. 

10 Howitzers and 15 armored cars were reported stationed in Talerh, north of Tachilek. 

Junta units girdle themselves with Wa 

Lt.-Col Kawnzuen, Commander, Kengtung Front Army, Shan State Army reports the junta units facing him have wrapped themselves with Wa troops making his raiding parties almost impossible to attack any Burmese base without provoking a fight with the Wa. 

"Anyway, most of them are local troops who are openly reluctant to fight," he said. "With those who are coming up from Burma (proper), it might be a different matter. So we haven't given up our vigilance."