SHRF MONTHLY REPORT

COMMENTARY

Since fierce battles were waged between SPDC troops and Shan armed resistance troops near the Shan-Thai border a few months ago, SPDC troops have intensified their killing of villagers suspected of having any connections, past or present, with the Shan resistance, not only in the border areas where the fighting took place but also in other far away areas of Shan State, no matter whether or not they were involved or even aware of the fighting.

SHRF has received increased reports about the killings of several villagers in groups as well as individually in central, eastern and northern Shan State during and after the fighting at the Shan-Thai border.

Displaced villagers found outside the relocation sites were so readily accused of supporting and providing food for the Shan resistance and shot dead in groups, deliberately leaving someone to relate the incidents to other villagers to terrorize the whole village communities. (See also last month’s issue)

In this newsletter, there is also a report in which a civilian guide was accused of having connections with the Shan resistance, simply because he happened to know the local routes well, and shot dead.

Although the fighting had taken place only in some small areas near the border with Thailand, SPDC troops have apparently been retaliating against the civilian population, especially the rural communities, in Shan State as a whole to further terrorize and subjugate them.

12 PALAWNG AND SHAN VILLAGERS SHOT DEAD IN GROUP IN MURNG-KERNG

On 8 June 2002, a patrol of about 30 SPDC troops from Company No.4 of LIB514, led by commander Kyaw Hlaing, arrested 13 farmers, interrogated them and eventually shot 12 of them dead in a group at a remote farm in Murng-Kerng township.

The victims -- 7 Shan villagers from Saam Poon village and 6 Palawng villagers from Nawng Tao village, altogether 13 including men and women -- were taking turns in helping one another weed their farms, and happened to be together at a farm when the said SPDC patrol came upon them.

The SPDC troops arrested all the 13 farmers, tied them up with ropes and interrogated them about Shan soldiers in the area. The troops wanted to know how many Shan soldiers were in the area, where they were, and who their leaders were, etc., but all the farmers said they did not know.

Commander Kyaw Hlaing then singled out Lung Maan Seng, aged 60, a Palawng man who was the oldest in the group, and said to him, “You are the oldest in your group. You must return and tell all the villagers not to help and support the Shan soldiers. From now on we will shoot to death all those who do not listen to us”.

The SPDC troops then shot the other 12 dead in a group. Lung Maan Seng, however, was detained for 2 days before being released, and he duly related the incident to the villagers in the area, especially the relatives of the 12 who had been shot dead under his eyes.

A CIVILIAN GUIDE SHOT DEAD IN KUN-HING

In early June 2002, a civilian guide was accused of working for the Shan resistance and shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops from IB246 near Saai Khaao village in Saai Khaao village tract, Kun-Hing township.

On 3.6.02, Zaai Aw-Zae-Ya, male, aged 26, from Kung Nyawng village in Kun Mong village tract, Murng-Nai township, was forcibly conscripted to serve as a guide by a patrol of about 60 SPDC troops from IB246.

After patrolling for about 7 days the said patrol arrived at Saai Khaao village in Saai Khaao village tract in Kun-Hing township and stopped for a rest. One of the SPDC troops called Zaai Aw-Zae-Ya to him and said that he suspected him of working for the Shan resistance either by collecting information or providing food for them because he knew the routes in the area very well.

Zaai Aw-Zae-Ya explained that he had seen Shan soldiers only during the time of Khun Sa’s MTA (Mong Tai Army) 5-6 years ago and he had never seen any Shan Soldiers since then, and that he had come to know the ways well because he had been frequently used as a guide by the SPDC troops over the last 3-4 years.

One of the SPDC troops then ordered Zaai Aw-Zae-Ya to follow him, saying, “Come with me if you want to see Shan solders”. A short while after the troops took him away, 2 shots of gunfire were heard and Zaai Aw-Zae-Ya never returned to join the patrol even after they had set out towards Kun-Hing where the civilian porters were released.

Zaai Aw-Zae-Ya’s body was later found near Saai Khaao village by some porters who had to return from Kun-Hing to Murng-Nai township via that way.

4 DISPLACED FARMERS SHOT DEAD IN KUN-HING 

On 14 June 2002, 4 displaced farmers who were taking their buffaloes home after working in the rice fields were shot dead by SPDC troops from IB246 on the way between Wan Lao village and Kun-Hing town, Kun-Hing township.

The displaced farmers were originally from Wan Lao village in Wan Lao village tract, Kun-Hing township. They had been forcibly relocated to the outskirts of Kun-Hing town in 1997 by the then SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) troops.

For some years now, the villagers of Wan Lao had been allowed by local SPDC troops to go and cultivate their original farm lands in the area of their old village, but not allowed to resettle at the village.

On the day of the incident, the 4 victims, each pulling a buffalo, were returning to Kun-Hing town relocation site after working at the rice fields near their old village, Wan Lao, when they ran into a group of 16 SPDC troops from IB246, led by commander San Win.

The SPDC troops then shot dead all 4 of them and took away all their buffaloes. When they got back to their military base, the troops said they got the buffaloes from some cattle traders and killed them for meat, which was to be eaten as well as sold in Kun-Hing town.
The 4 victims were:

Although community leaders of the original villagers of Wan Lao and others in Kun-Hing town knew of the incident after their relatives had found the bodies of the dead, no one dared even to talk about it in public, let alone take any action.

2 AKHA VILLAGERS SHOT DEAD IN MURNG-PHYAK

On 21 June 2002, 2 Akha villagers from Ja-Nu village in Nam Naang village tract, Murng-Phyak township, who were returning from their farm were shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops from LIB329 in the forest between Ja-Nu village and their farm.

On the day of the incident, the said 2 Akha villagers, La-Pa (m), aged 19 and Ja-Her (m), aged 21, were returning from their rice farm when they ran into a patrol of about 30 SPDC troops from Murng-Phyak-based LIB329.

La-Pa and Ja-Her were so frightened by the sudden encounter with the much feared SPDC troops and tried to run away. However, before they could make a move, both were gunned down by the troops and died instantly on the way to their farm.

After killing the 2 Akha villagers, the SPDC troops continued their patrol and as they were passing through Pa Yaao village, a neighbouring village with Ja-Nu village in the same village tract, they told the villagers that they had shot dead 2 men who were returning from taking food to the Shan rebels, in the forest near Ja-Nu village.

When villagers of Pa Yaao found the bodies, they knew who they were and informed the villagers of Ja-Nu and relatives of the dead about the incident. The bodies were then properly buried and a funeral conducted in accordance with their traditions.

According to their relatives, the 2 victims were just returning home from their rice farm which was some distance from their village when they were shot dead.

A WOMAN GANG-RAPED IN LAI-KHA

On 19 July 2002, a woman who was going to her rice field from her village (----) in Tan Ae village tract, Lai-Kha township, was gang-raped by a group of 20 SPDC troops from LIB513, outside her village on the way to her rice field.

In the morning of that day, Pa Thawn (not her real name), aged 36, was taking food from her village to her rice field for those who were working there when she ran into a patrol of about 20 SPDC troops at a remote spot on the way between the village and the field.

The SPDC troops stopped Pa Thawn, seized her and took her into a roadside bush and raped her, taking turns until all of them had raped her to their satisfaction. After all of them had got what they wanted, the troops left the place, leaving Pa Thawn alone lying near the road.

Pa Thawn was so hurt and painful all over that she could not move until she was luckily found by some of her fellow villagers some hours later and was taken home. She had not yet recovered from her ordeal and had to be treated until the time this report was received earlier this month.

RAPE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN MURNG-KERNG AND HO-PONG

From 26 to 30 June 2002, 3 petty-goods peddlers who were forced to go with a patrol of SPDC troops from LIB514 were robbed of their goods, and were raped and sexually harassed by the patrol commander, Maj. Than Zaw, in Murng-Kurng and Ho-Pong township.

On 26 June 2002, a patrol of SPDC troops from LIB514, led by Maj. Than Zaw, forced 2 women, Pa Seng, aged 35 and Ae Yaen, aged 13 (not their real names), who were peddling petty goods at Nawng Zaeng village in Murng-Kerng township, to go with them.

As the SPDC troops left Nawng Zaeng village, they met another woman peddler, Naang Awng (not her real name), aged 25, at a place called Kung Paang Turk near the village, and also forced her to go with them.

At night, when the troops stopped to sleep in a village, Maj. Than Zaw raped Ae Yaen on the first whole night, and raped Pa Seng another whole night, and later raped either of them every night until they arrived at Nawng Mawn village in Hai Khaai village, Ho-Pong township, on 30 June 2002, where the 2 women were eventually released.

During that time, Naang Awng was also harassed by Maj. Than Zaw, who tried to get her to his place, but she feigned sickness and managed to keep him away by moving to sleep in a different house where no SPDC troops were staying. 

When the troops stopped at Nawng Mawn village in Ho-Pong township on 30 June 2002, Naang Awng managed to hide away and did not go with them the next day, and thus narrowly escaped from being raped. 

MASS FORCED PORTERING AND BEATING IN MURNG-KERNG

In mid-July 2002, 2 middle-aged civilian porters were severely beaten by SPDC troops from LIB514 until they lost consciousness and were left lying in the jungle in Murng-Kerng township.

On 14.7.02, SPDC troops from LIB514, under the command of Commander Hla Myint, surrounded the market place in Murng-Kerng town and rounded up 57 civilian men to be used as porters. On 15.7.02, the SPDC troops divided into 3 columns and set out in different directions to patrol the rural areas in Murng-Kerng township.

In one of the military columns, there were Lung Wan, aged 53 and Lung Su, aged 50, among the civilian porters. After several days of strenuous labour without enough rest and food, they became too weak and tired to continue carrying their heavy loads.

On 20.7.02, at one point while the military column was marching, Lung Wan and Lung Su became too tired to go on and stopped to rest, putting down their loads on the ground. The SPDC troops thought that they were trying to run away and 3-4 soldiers surrounded each of them and beat and kicked them until they lost consciousness.

They were left lying unconsciousness alone in the jungle because when they regained consciousness some hours later there was no one around except the 2 of them. Lung Wan and Lung Su managed to get back home after 2 days, walking slowly through the jungle.

Even after some days of rest at their homes, the 2 men were said to be still suffering from the beating and exhaustion and could not go out to work.

VILLAGE TRACT HEADMAN DETAINED AND BEATEN IN MURNG-TON

On 6 July 2002, the headman of Me Ken village tract in Murng-Ton township was summoned by SPDC troops of IB65 to the military base and interrogated, and was tortured and beaten during interrogation.

On that day, a patrol of 25 SPDC troops from IB65, led by Capt. Han Sein of Company No.1, came to Me Ken village and told the village tract headman, Pu Haeng Taeng Haan, that the Tactical Commander wanted to see him about a very important matter and ordered him to come immediately with them to the military base.

When they got to the military base, a Corporal and some troops came up and arrested Pu Haeng Taeng Haan. The troops tied him up and interrogated him, forcing him to tell them how many SSA (Shan State Army) soldiers were in his area; who their leaders were and who provided them with food.

During the interrogations, the SPDC troops beat and tortured the headman to squeeze out the information they wanted. As he could not answer their questions because he simply did not know, they beat him until his face was swollen all over and his head was fractured. 

He was detained until 27 July 2002, and was released only after a leader of the Lahu people’s militia in the area guaranteed his innocence.

MASS FORCED PORTERING OF PRISONERS IN KAENG-TUNG AND TA-KHI-LAEK

In June 2002, hundreds of prisoners were said to have been used as porters by the SPDC troops in military operations in Loi Taw Kham area in Ta-Khi-Laek township, in which many were said to have died and wounded. 

On 15 June 2002, about 300 prisoners from the prison in Kaeng-Tung town were taken by the SPDC troops from IB244 and IB245 and transported to Murng-Sart by 11-12 trucks which had no roofs nor covers so that the prisoners had to bear all the rain and sun all the way. Since the prisoners were forced to wear leg shackles, it was very difficult for them to move around and get up and down the trucks.

On 16 June 2002, they were then trucked to the Murng Kaan area in Murng-Sart township, where about 400-500 prisoners from other prisons were already gathered ahead of them.

On 17 June 2002, the prisoners were forced to carry heavy loads of rations and ammunition and marched towards Loi Taw Kham area in Ta-Khi-Laek township where fierce battles between SPDC troops and Shan resistance troops were taking place.

The prisoners had to work in the rain and sun without enough food and rest, and with their shackles on, causing many to get sick and exhausted. Many were said to have died of illness during the porter service, while some died and were wounded at the battle front.

PEOPLE IN TA-KHI-LAEK FORCED TO BUY VEHICLES FOR MILITARY USE

On 5 June 2002, SPDC military authorities of LIB331 issued an order requiring the people in Ta-Khi-Laek township to buy pickup trucks and motorcycles for the military to be used during military operations; each village tract was to buy 1 truck and 1 motorcycle.

There were 11-12 village tracts in Ta-Khi-Laek township and each was required to buy one 4-wheel-drive pickup truck and one Honda Dream motorcycle from Thailand. Although the order was issued by LIB331, each village tract was required to provide the vehicles to the military units in their areas.

The people had to collect money among themselves to buy the vehicles, requiring each household to provide 200 to 400 baht in accordance with the size of the village tract. Many people who did not have ready cash had to sell their livestock and valuables to provide the money on time.

PEOPLE IN MURNG-PAN TOLD TO BUY VEHICLES FOR MILITARY USE

On 11 July 2002, SPDC military authorities of LIB520 issued an order requiring people in Murng-Pan township to buy a 4-wheel-drive pickup truck and a motorcycle for the military to be used instead of human porters.

On that day, village and community leaders in Murng-Pan township were called to a meeting at the military base of LIB520 and the battalion commander told them that he felt great pity upon the people who had been forced to provide free labour for the military over the years, either in person or in th form of horses or vehicles, or money for those who could not provide what was demanded, costing 4-5,000 kyat per month per household.

From now on, in order to avoid having to often bother the people, he would like them to buy a 4-wheel-drive pickup truck and a Honda motorcycle for his battalion, so that it would not be necessary for his troops to conscript horses and human porters and labourers in the future, said the commander. 

The price of a 4-wheel-drive pickup truck was said to be around 700,000 Thai baht and a Honda motorcycle would cost about 60,000 Thai baht, which were the responsibilities the people of Murng-Pan would have to share among themselves.

CONFISCATION OF CULTIVATED LAND AND REPEATED RELOCATION OF DISPLACED VILLAGERS IN NAM-ZARNG AND LAI-KHA

In June 2002, displaced villagers from Kho Lam village relocation site in Nam-Zarng township who had been permitted by local SPDC troops to return to farm their lands at their original villages were forced back to Kho Lam by SPDC troops from different units, and their farm lands were confiscated and given to the Lahu people’s militia.

In March 2002, displaced villagers originally from Ton Hung Haai Laai village tract in Nam-Zarng township and Naa Poi village tract in Lai-Kha township, which had been forcibly relocated to Kho Lam in 1996-97 by the then SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) troops, were permitted by the present local SPDC troops to return to stay and farm their lands at their original villages. Since then, many displaced villagers had returned to cultivate their lands at their original villages.

The villagers had been staying and working at their original villages for almost 2 months -- many had already put up new fences around their old compounds and prepared their lands for growing crops, and some had already planted rice -- when a column of SPDC troops from the adjacent Wan Zing village tract in Kae-See township came to Naa Poi village tract area.

The SPDC troops from Kae-See brought with them some members of the Lahu people’s militia. When they saw the villagers who had returned to Naa Poi village tract, the troops ordered them to go back to Kho Lam relocation site in Nam-Zarng township, giving them 10 days to move their belongings.

A different group of SPDC troops from Kho Lam also came to Ton Hung Haai Laai village tract and scolded the villagers who had returned and ordered them to go back to Kho Lam relocation site, accusing them of having returned without permission and threatened that they would shoot at anyone found in the area next time they came this way. 

The SPDC troops from Kae-See also told the villagers that their farm lands had been given to members of the Lahu people’s militia because they were helping in the work of the Burmese army, and if Lahu militia were attacked by Shan soldiers after they had come to stay on the lands, the villagers would be held responsible.

The Shan villagers had no choice but to return to Kho Lam relocation site, to face a life even harder and more destitute then before.

MORE RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT AND EXTORTION IN MURNG-PAN

On 9 July 2002, villagers of several villages in Loi Noi village tract, Murng-Pan township were restricted from going into the forests and mountains north of their villages by the SPDC troops from LIB332 that were stationed at Loi Noi.

On that day, commander Myint Than, of Company No.2 from LIB332, called the village and community leaders of Loi Noi, Murng Paai, Wan Kung, Long Kaeng and Naa Ing villages to a meeting at the military camp at Loi Noi. These villages were in Loi Noi village tract and were situated north of the main road to Larng-Khur, and to the north of the villages were forests and mountains where many villagers had their rice farms and grazing grounds for their cattle.

At the meeting, commander Myint Than ordered the village leaders to tell their villagers not to go into the forests and mountains north of their villages, starting from the day he issued the order. Anyone found in the forests and mountains after that day would be shot on sight, said the commander.
After the issuing of the order, many villagers were afraid to go to work at their farms north of the villages. But some farmers who had no other means to support their families and no other places to farm, had to secretly go to work at their farms and risk being shot on sight.

On 15 July 2002, Lung Zing and his son went to catch their buffalo which they had let graze near the forest north of their village and, as they were leading the buffalo into the village, ran into a group of SPDC soldiers.

The SPDC troops, seeing Lung Zing and his son coming from the north, accused them of having been into the forests and mountains without permission, and took them to the military camp at Loi Noi.

The commander of the camp then told Lung Zing and his son that they had committed a grave offence by defying the military order and thus deserved harsh punishment, and asked them whether they would like to stay in jail or pay a fine. Lung Zing had to pay 20,000 kyat for their release.