Army chasing out IDPs

Army chasing out IDPs

The Burmese has begun an operation to flush out the people hiding in the mountains and valleys since the forced relocations in 1996-98 that uprooted at least 300,000 people from their homes in 1,500 villages in southern Shan State, said sources fleeing to the Thai border. 

"They took everything we had and told us to move back into established communities," said Zanta, 50, who fled from the Sarmkeng "Three Kengs" area comprising Kenglom, Kengkham and Kengtawng, all of which are wedged between Kunhing, Namzang, Mongnai, Langkher and Mongpan townships. 

Which was what happened to 4 families in Kenglom, Kunhing township on 1 December, they said, when a patrol from Company 4, IB 246, led by Captain Than Nyunt found their hiding place in the vicinity of Wanhpai village. 

They were: 
1. Nanta, male, 47;
2. Nang Hpong, female, 58;
3. Tawna, male, 41;
4. Zai Lone, male, 37.

Between them, they lost K. 13,200, 1.25 kyat of gold, 4 bins (80 liters) of rice, 5 bins of soybeans, 4 chickens and 1 cow. "Even Zai Lone's torchlight and Grandma Hpong's new blouse were taken," added Zanta. 

Worse, the women: Hseng Ngern, 39, Nanta's wife; Hseng Lu, 15, Nanta's daughter; Kham Ing, 35, Tawna's wife and Ngern Lu, 32, Zai Lone's wife were taken to Kunhing, gang-raped and released only after two days, they said. 

It is estimated that 50,000 people in Shan State are still living in hiding. 

"The Burmese army is in need of more free labor for their urbanization project in Kengtawng," added Zanta.