19 Shans Massacred By Junta Troops

19 Shans Massacred By Junta Troops

Reports of the killings of 19 Shans by Rangoon troops in southern Shan State last month were confirmed yesterday by Maihoong who arrived at the border yesterday.

19 Shan villagers including 3 women who were clearing bushes in order to resettle in their former village of Kengkham, were lined up and shot down by a Burmese patrol from Nanzang at noon on 30 January, he said.

"Twelve days earlier, on 18 January, villagers from Kengkham who were relocated to Kunhing were summoned by Lt.-Col. Kyaw Aye, Commander, IB 246. He told them that since Rangoon had decided to repopulate sections on both sides of the Kunhing-Kengtawng road, those who wished to go back would be given safe passes at K. 50 each", he reported.

The villagers deliberated for ten days, according to him, before 19 of them led by Jawngsu, 57, decided to make a try by applying for safe passes which they got.

"On the second day, while they were still clearing bushes that had accumulated during their long absence, a 85-90 strong patrol from IB 66 of Namzang led by Capt. Zaw Thein arrived there with 40 porters."

According to Maihoong's sources, who witnessed the event, the villagers were surrounded and interrogated as to why they were in a free fire zone. When the villagers explained showing the safe passes, he brushed off by saying, "If you have passes, then you must have bribed Col. Kyaw Aye," and ordered his men to shoot them down.

After the massacre, relatives reported to the IB 246 officers who had issued the passes, to which the officers responded by telling them not to lay blame on other units without evidence. "If you have witnesses, bring forth," they were reported to have said.

"Of course, nobody dared to come forward to bear witness for fear of being subject to the same fate," he added.
"So far I have not heard any action taken against Capt. Zaw Thein, the culprit."

The names of the 19 victims were:

1. Jawngsu, 57, male

2. Kaling, 51, male

3. Awzayya, 47, male

4. Panla, 47, male

5. Mala, 45, male

6. Jawla ,44, male

7. Zai Woon, 41, male

8. Zarmkhurh, 36, male

9. Htoon-awng, 33, male

10. Zai Mint, 30, male

11. Zai Min, 27, male

12. Awngsa, 24, male

13. Zai Nu, 20, male

14. Zai Man, 17, male

15. Zai Lao, 16, male

16. Zai Mu 15 male

17. Nang Ing, 34, female

18. Nang Nyunt, 26, female

19. Nang Htoon, 22, female