Child rapist to go free or else, says Army

Military authorities in Monghsat have warned the local populace not to go ahead with their planned lawsuit against an enlisted man accused of molesting a 4-year old girl earlier this month, reports S.H.A.N.'s special correspondent from the border:

It was the talk of the town while I was in Monghsat, 100 km west of Tachilek. Being careful so as not to be perceived as an unusually inquisitive outsider, I was not able to get the names of either the perpetrator or the victim, but I have no doubt it was a true story, because some of the sources were really close to the leading members of the local MWAF (Myanmar Women Affair Federation).

According to them, the incident had taken place three weeks ago. The soldier was from B.E. (Engineers) near the Monghsat airfield. The military authorities reportedly gave 20,000 kyat ($ 20) to the parents of the girl and told them as well as the physician who treated the victim to keep quiet.

However, the case had already reached the MWAF and many of its members had voted to bring the matter to court.

It was then that the military told the MWAF it could either put up or shut up. "We know you and we know who's up to what," an officer representing the Army was quoted as saying. "If you can do it to us, so can we to you. We can search your houses and think of something to charge you with."

As things go, it is likely that the MWAF is going to back down. "The game is not worth the candle," one lady friend said before I left for the border.

A similar event had transpired in southern Burma last month after which a soldier from Ye-based Light Infantry Battalion 587 was said to have been sentenced to 7 years imprisonment when the populace refused to give up the case, reported Kaowao.

Women activists not affiliated to the MWAF headed by Daw Than Than Nwe, wife of the prime minister in office Gen Soe Win, have long charged the Burmese military of having license to rape.