People forced to keep the Army safe

Human Rights

People forced to keep the Army safe

Contrary to the universal notion of the army defending the people, the public duty in Burma is to ensure that the Army is safe and sound so it can continue to expand and push them around, say youths from southern Shan State's Kunhing township, who recently arrived at the border.

On 16 September, villages within the 7 mile perimeter of Kunhing were summoned by the Infantry Battalion 246 to clear the thickets within 1 mile distance from the public thoughfare.

"They want to have clear field of fire in anticipation of any attack mounted by the SSA (Shan State Army) 'South'", said one of the youths who are in Thailand to further their studies.

The villagers were forced to work from dawn to dusk. "We were told we could not expect to go home until it's finished and done," said one of the villagers to the passers-by.

According to the sources, the forced labor situation in Kunhing, a township known for its uncouth units, IB 246 and Light Infantry Battalion 524, has gone from bad to worse since last year.

Forced labor has been banned in Burma since 14 May 1999 with the issuance of Order 1/99 by the home ministry.