Burmans being resettled in southern Shan State

Burmans being resettled in southern Shan State

Refugees arriving in Chiangmai told S.H.A.N. hundreds of families from lowland Burma had been located in southern Shan State since the dry season began. 

Kengtawng, a historic area huddled up against five townships, namely: Namzarng, Kunhing, Mongnai, Langkher and Mongpan and the center of the mass forced relocations in 1996-98 has become a place bustling with resettlers from Burma proper, according to several sources. 

"3-4 trucks arrive each day to unload Burmese civilians in Nawnghee and Tonghoong tracts, escorted by Burmese soldiers," said one. "They've been filling up the homes and fields vacated by the Shans who have been relocated elsewhere since five years ago. Some of them are even trying to seize occupied residences and domains." 

The forced relocation program had taken place in 11 townships and had put 1,478 villages and 55,957 households on the run, according to the Shan Human Rights Foundation. 

Its recent survey also put the number of newcomers at 1,580 representing 316 households in December: 

Two separate sources reported last year that 3,000 Burmese families were to be resettled in the area. In contrast, Namzarng, the neighboring township, has only 600 families related to members of the military. 

"When we complained to the soldiers, they laughed and said we could go anywhere we wanted if we were not satisfied. 'Don't think we will be afraid of you leaving us', taunted one junior officer," said one of the villagers from Kengtawng.