Army makes people pay for rebel attack

Human Rights

Army makes people pay for rebel attack

Following recent attacks by the Shan State Army of Col Yawdserk, that had left one killed and one living quarters damaged, the Burma Army in southern Shan State's Kengtawng hydelpower project area has ordered locals to build fences and trenches, reports S.H.A.N. correspondent King Cobra from the border:

All able-bodied males in Kengtawng sub-district, 100 miles east of Taunggyi, were ordered by Military Operations Command 17 on 18 June to construct strong walls made of available materials in the countryside and dig trenches 3 cubits deep and 2 cubits wide around the 1-mile perimeter of each of the five Burma Army bases. "Villagers were told to leave all their day-to-day family responsibilities with their wives," a trader told S.H.A.N.. (One cubit is 18 inches.)

The order was the result of two attacks on Monday, 14 June, on two light infantry battalion posts by the SSA's 579th Brigade, commanded by Maj Khamleng. LIB 574 had suffered one living quarters wrecked and LIB 569 one sergeant dead.

Two days later, Mongpan-based Military Operations Command #17 chief Brig Gen Nyunt Hlaing held a meeting with his commanders, according to other sources.

"Believe me, there will be more refugees coming, whether the Thais want them or not," commented the trader.

A hydropower plant to supply electricity to the whole southern Shan State by 2006 has been under construction by Rangoon in Kengtawng.