Forced labor for yet another death railway

Forced labor for yet another death railway

Sources that fled recently into Thailand told S.H.A.N. the Burma Army had been conscripting people in southern Shan State for labor in the construction of a new railroad from Hsihseng to Namzang. 

They said the Burma Army had been busy recruiting laborers since the visit to Namzang by Gen Maung Aye, Vice Chairman of the ruling military council and army commander, on 23 October. 

"In Namzang township alone, 240 people, age between 18-55, have begun the task of clearing the area for the railroad," said one of the sources, who, along with others, requested anonymity. He said they were working under the supervision of Captain Than Naing Oo, Company 5, IB 66. 

Myanma Alin, the official bulletin, reported on 25 October that Gen Maung Aye flew to Namzang, 62 miles east of Taunggyi, to inspect the project sites and met with the officials concerned, including the 55th Light Infantry Division. 

Shan Human Rights Foundation reports in its illustrated The Shan Case (1993): The 102-mile long Loikaw-Aungban railway was built with the blood, sweat, tears, lives, money, homes and lands of the people. And now, since January 6 1993, the same has been happening with the Shwenyaung-Namsang railroad. People of both sexes, aged between 15 and 59, are being ordered to work for weeks. Absentees are fined K. 3,000 upwards. 

The project would last two and a half years, according to the sources. 

Update: 30 November 2001 

According to official bulletins and research: 

Hsaikhao is a village north of Hsihseng. Military authorities have completed the Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Hsaikhao section, 62 miles. The projected Hsaikhao-Namzang section, after completion by October 2002, will be 103 miles. 

A meeting local military commanders on 3 November decided that a total of 48,000 laborers would be needed for the project. 

No further information has been received since 10 November.