SHRF MONTHLY REPORT

SHRF  MONTHLY REPORT -- JULY 2005

COMMENTARY

In addition to the atrocities of the troops of the Burmese junta, people in Shan State also have to occasionally bear the brutalities of some of the ceasefire groups in areas under their influence.

Even though generally it could be said that the ceasefire groups are not as oppressive as the SPDC troops and could sometimes even be of some help to the people in their areas, at times, they have also become as brutal as the SPDC troops.

For instance, there have been many cases of arrest, detention, beating and torture of Shan villagers by troops from a unit of UWSA (United Wa State Army) in Murng-Ton township, especially during last April when UWSA, which has a ceasefire with the SPDC, was fiercely fighting with the troops of SSA-S (Shan State Army - South), which is still opposing the SPDC.

Villagers suspected of having something to do with the Shan resistance were arrested, detained, beaten and tortured by UWSA troops. In several cases, the beating and torture were so severe that victims lost consciousness and sustained serious injuries which needed weeks or even months of treatment to recover.

UWSA, like the SPDC and some other ceasefire groups, also use the forced labour of the people in their areas. Although they have often claimed that they hired paid labourers to do their work, the wages were usually much lower than the market rate and the villagers could not refuse to do the work.

In this month’s issue, a separate section is given to abuses committed by UWSA troops, among other violations perpetrated by SPDC troops.

A WELL RESPECTED ASCETIC BUDDHIST MONK TORTURED AND KILLED IN KUN-HING

In April 2005, an ascetic Buddhist monk who lived in the forest in Ka Li village tract, in Kun-Hing township, was tortured and beaten to death by SPDC troops from LIB524, at a cave called Tham Loi Mon about 2 miles east of Ka Li village.

The monk, widely known as Zao Sin Man (meaning the one who firmly observes the Buddhist moral precepts), mostly lived in the forests and practised meditation in caves. He was a native of Murng Nawng village in Murng Nawng village tract, Kae-See township, and had assumed the monkhood since his teens many years ago.

The monk usually moved from one place to another after some time but always to the forests where there were caves in which meditation could be practised, living longer at some places than at others. At the time of the incident, he was living in a small hut built by himself at the mouth of the said cave in Ka Li village tract.

Although the monk had been living at the cave in Ka Li for only over a year, people knew about him and villagers in the surrounding areas often went to pay respect and offer alms to him. This had drawn the attention of the SPDC troops in the area who often visited the place and commented that monks living in forests were usually supporters of the Shan resistance, not ascetic monks.

On 21 April 2005, during the night, the monk was beaten, tortured and killed by SPDC troops from LIB524 stationed at Ka Li village. The villagers who went to see the monk the next morning found only his dead body, with 5 five-inch-long nails hammered into his head.

A VILLAGER SHOT DEAD IN NAM-ZARNG

In March 2005, a villager who used to help other villagers in dealing with the SPDC troops was shot dead by SPDC troops from IB66 at his house at Wan Phuy village in Kho Lam village tract, Nam-Zarng township.

Zaai Kyaw La (m), aged 24, the victim, spoke Burmese well and used to help other villagers when they happened to get into trouble with the SPDC troops. When innocent villagers were suspected of something and arrested by the SPDC troops, Zaai Kyaw La had often been able to secure their release by negotiating with the troops.

 When the SPDC troops demanded 10 villagers to serve as porters, Zaai Kyaw La had usually been able to talk the troops into reducing the number down to 6-7 villagers. Thus, Zaai Kyaw La had become one of the few villagers who the village of Wan Phuy could rely on in dealing with the SPDC troops.

However, in the evening of 17 March 2005, at around 9:00 p.m., a patrol of 5 SPDC troops from IB66, led by commander Myint Htoo, came to Zaai Kyaw La’s house and called him out of the house. As Zaai Kyaw La reached the front gate of his compound, the SPDC troops shot him dead and left the place.

WOMAN GANG-RAPED, BEATEN, HER FARM PRODUCE STOLEN, IN MURNG-NAI

In April 2005, a woman was gang-raped by SPDC troops, from No.7 Operation Management Command, who she found had stolen some of her tomatoes and cucumbers, at her farm near Kun Khoi village in Ton Hoong village tract, Murng-Nai township.

On the morning of 23 April 2005, Pa Nae (f) (not her real name), aged 43, of Kun Khoi village went to tend her tomato and cucumber farm near a stream outside her village and, as she entered the farm, ran into 3 SPDC soldiers who were carrying heavy bags and were about to leave the farm.

Pa Nae immediately realized that the SPDC soldiers had stolen her farm produce and on an impulse asked them if they had stolen all she had in her farm. The soldiers then said, “You, come here”, and dragged Pa Nae by the arm into the farm hut.

All 3 SPDC troops gang-raped Pa Nae in the farm hut until they all were satisfied. They also slapped and beat her while raping her so that there were swollen bruises all over her face and body.

After learning about the incident, Pa Nae’s husband reported it to the village and community leaders, but no one dared to take the case further.

ARREST, BEATING AND TORTURE OF SHAN VILLAGERS BY A ‘WA’ CEASEFIRE GROUP, IN MURNG-TON

In April 2005, Wa troops from 171st Military Region, led by a notorious opium warlord, Wei Hsuehkang, of the UWSA (United Wa State Army), which had a ceasefire agreement with the SPDC, fought with SSA-S (Shan State Army-South) troops in the border areas opposite Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province. At that time, some distance to the east, in Murng-Ton township, opposite Thailand’s Chiang Mai province, many Shan villagers were arrested, beaten and tortured by Wa troops from the same 171st Military Region.

Villagers in Murng Haang village tract areas were suspected of having something to do with the Shan soldiers and arrested, beaten and tortured by Wa troops from 171st Military Region, stationed at a camp near Huay Aw village in Murng Haang village tract, Murng-Ton township. Several villagers lost consciousness during torture and beating and sustained serious injuries.

The following are some of the said incidents:

A SHAN COUPLE BEATEN UNCONSCIOUS BY ‘WA’ TROOPS IN MURNG-TON

In April 2005, a Shan couple who went to gather wild vegetables along the Nam Aw stream were arrested by Wa soldiers and severely beaten up until they both lost consciousness, near Huay Aw village in Murng Haang village tract, Murng-Ton township.

On 15 April 2005, Nya-Lin-Da, aged 18, and his wife, Naang Suay Ing, aged 17, of Huay Aw village went together to gather wild vegetables in the valley of Nam Aw stream. But they were accused of being Shan soldiers and arrested by a patrol of Wa troops from 171st Military Region.

The couple were beaten and tortured by the Wa troops until they both lost consciousness. They had to be carried home when they were released after the village and community leaders guaranteed that they were ordinary villagers.

Almost a month after the incident, in mid May 2005, the couple still had not fully recovered. They could hardly walk and still had to eat boiled rice because they could not chew, and marks of bruises could still be seen all over their bodies.

2 SHAN VILLAGERS SEVERELY BEATEN UP BY ‘WA’ TROOPS IN MURNG-TON

In April 2005, 2 villagers who went fishing were arrested and severely beaten up by Wa troops from 171st Military Region, stationed at Huay Aw village in Murng Haang village tract, Murng-Ton township.

On 18 April 2005, Law-Ka (m), aged 21 and Zaai Saw (m), aged 22, of Naa Kawng Mu village in Murng Haang village tract, Murng-Ton township, went together to catch fish in the Nam Haang river.

The 2 villagers fished along the river and headed downstream, and at one point they were seen by a group of the said Wa troops, who shouted an order calling them to go to them. When the villagers got near them, the Wa troops looked at them and accused them of being Shan soldiers, and arrested them.

Even though the 2 villagers said that they were just ordinary villagers of Naa Kawng Mu village, the Wa troops did not listen to them, but took them to their camp at Huay Aw and locked them up in jail.

When the relatives of the 2 villagers heard about it the next day, on 19 April 2005, they and their village and community leaders went to the Wa camp and guaranteed that they were ordinary villagers, and the Wa troops released them.

However, the 2 villagers had been so severely tortured and beaten up that they could not walk and a car had to be hired at Huay Aw village to take them back to Naa Kawng Mu village. Only after receiving 5 days of treatment were the 2 men able to move around without help.

A VILLAGER ARRESTED, BEATEN AND TORTURED FOR POSSESSING PHONE NUMBERS, VILLAGERS INTIMIDATED, BY ‘WA’ TROOPS IN MURNG-TON

In April 2005, a villager who happened to have phone numbers in his pocket was arrested, severely beaten and tortured by Wa troops from 171st Military Region, at Huay Aw village in Murng Haang village tract, Murng-Ton township.

On 18 April 2005, Phaw-Ma (m), aged 45, of Huay Aw village was searched by a patrol of Wa troops in Huay Aw village. When the Wa troops found some written phone numbers in his pocket, they accused Phaw-Ma of possessing a mobile phone and reporting information to the Shan troops, and arrested him.

The Wa troops took Phaw-Ma to their camp outside Huay village, interrogated him and detained him there. During the interrogation, Phaw-Ma was severely beaten and tortured.

The next day when the village and community leaders went to guarantee Phaw-Ma’s innocence and appeal for his release, the Wa troops released him, but only after giving warnings and intimidating the villagers.

“We have been interrogating him, but have not yet been able to get satisfactory answers. Now you gentlemen say he is innocent and want us to release him. So be it. We will let you take him back on condition that you will not tell people he has been beaten by us”, said the Wa troops.

Phaw-Ma could not stand up, let alone walk, when he was released. He had been severely tortured and beaten up, with swollen bruises and sprains all over, from head to toe. The Wa troops allowed him to be taken to Murng-Ton town hospital, but for only one night, fearing he would run away.

On releasing Phaw-Ma, the Wa troops again warned and intimidated the villagers again. “You can take him to Murng-Ton hospital if you like, but for only one night, and be sure he does not disappear. Also be sure to say that he has fallen down from his house. If you say he has been tortured by us, we will come and kill you all”, they said.

According to local villagers, Phaw-Ma was a native of Huay Aw village and the Wa troops who arrested him were those stationed at the camp near Huay Aw village, so they might have known each other for some time. The Wa troops just bore a grudge against him for some other reasons, they said.

VILLAGERS FORCED TO BURY MANY CORPSES BY ‘WA’ TROOPS, CAUSING ILLNESS AND LATER DEATHS, IN MURNG-TON

In April 2005, 60 villagers from Huay Aw village in Murng Haang village tract, Murng-Ton township, were forced to bury 68 human corpses between Huay Aw and Pung An villages during the night, by the Wa troops from 171st Military Region stationed at Huay Aw, causing 3 young villagers to fall sick and die about 12 days later.

In the evening of 20 April 2005, a patrol of 15 Wa troops came into Huay Aw village with a large truck and conscripted 60 male villagers, ages ranging from 16 to 50, for forced labour. The villagers were ordered to take with them spades and hoes and they were trucked to a place some distance west of Huay Aw, between Huay Aw and Pung An villages.

There, in a forest about 100 metres from the main road, the villagers were ordered to dig graves and carry human corpses from the main road to be buried. Some young villagers who were afraid to touch the corpses were scolded and beaten by the Wa troops.

It took the 60 villagers from around midnight to around dawn to finish the task of burying 68 corpses. Among the villagers, 3 young villagers had fallen seriously sick immediately after the incident and died one after another in about 12 days.

Those who died were:
1. Zaai Kan-Na, aged 16
2. Zaai Nya-Lin, aged 17
3. Zaai Mon, aged 17

FORCED LABOUR USED BY ‘WA’ TROOPS IN MURNG-TON

Forced labour of local populations is also occasionally used by Wa troops of UWSA, stationed in southern Shan State. The following is one of the incidents in which a unit of Wa troops stationed in Murng-Ton are currently using forced labour of the local people in their agricultural work.

Since April 2005, Wa troops of Battalion-214 of UWSA, stationed at Ho Paang Ho Yawd in Mae Ken village tract  have been forcing the villagers of Naa Pa Kaao village in the same village tract, Murng-Ton township, to dig holes for planting rubber trees at their rubber plantation in Murng-Ton township.

The Wa troops have set up a rubber plantation on hundreds of acres of land in Murng-Ton township and it was necessary to dig thousands of holes for planting rubber. Although the Wa also used their own troops to dig the holes, many more labourers were still needed so that it would not take too long.

Since then, from April up to the present, Wa troops have been conscripting villagers from a nearby village, Naa Pa Kaao, to work for them. There are more than 70 households in the village and each person from every house, except for a few houses of the village and community leaders, has to go and work every day.

The villagers have to use their own tools and provide their own food at the work site where they have to go and dig one-metre-deep and one-metre-wide holes in the ground. Although the Wa troops pay the villagers 100 kyat for each hole, the most capable person working hardest could only finish 5 holes per day.

The wage was nothing given the hard work and the time consumed, because the minimum day-wages generally are 1,500-2,000 kyat in the area, and the hard work like digging holes could fetch not less than 2,000 kyat per person per day.

However, no one as yet dared to defy the Wa troops’ order for fear of abuses. The local people are complaining that they not only have to serve the SPDC troops, starting from a few years ago they also have to serve the Wa troops who are becoming more and more demanding and oppressing. As the situation has become more and more unbearable, some people have already fled to other places, including Thailand.

A VILLAGE WOMAN SHOT WITH A CATAPULT, DENIED COMPENSATION, CAUSING HER TO FLEE, IN MURNG-NAI

In March 2005, a woman was shot with a catapult by an SPDC commander’s son, hitting her between the eyes and causing her to lose consciousness, who refused to pay the compensation she was supposed to get, causing her to flee, at Waeng Kao village in Nawng Hee village tract, Murng-Nai township.

On 20 March 2005, Aung Htun Yi (m), aged 22, son of the SPDC commander of No.3 Tactical Command, came to Waeng Kao village and persuaded a woman to go with him on a walk to see the farms and gardens outside the village.

Naang Naang (f), aged 28, realized that if she went with Aung Htun Yi, who had often flirted with her, to a remote place, he would surely attempt to rape her. So she refused to go with him, saying that she was not feeling very well.

After several attempts to persuade Naang Naang to go with him failed, Aung Htun Yi became angry and, as he left the place, shot at her with a catapult. The pellet hit Naang Naang right between the eyes and she fell down on the ground and lost consciousness.

Later, Naang Naang and her relatives filed a complaint with the SPDC commander, farther of Aung Htun Yi, and the case was settled with the help of community leaders. Naang Naang was to receive 20,000 kyat of money as compensation from Aung Htun Yi.

However, the money has not been paid. Whenever it was asked for, Aung Htun Yi would grudgingly say he did not yet have the money and showed signs of dissatisfaction for being asked. After some time, unable to bear the embarrassment, Naang Naang fled to other place.

A MONASTERY ACCIDENTALLY SHELLED, WOUNDING A NOVICE MONK, MONKS AND VILLAGERS INTIMIDATED, IN MURNG-TON

In March 2005, a Buddhist monastery at Son Kuay village in Pung Pa Khem village tract, Murng-Ton township, was accidentally shelled with an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade), wounding a novice monk and destroying an altar, and the monks and villagers were threatened not to tell any one about it, by SPDC troops from IB225.

On 15 March 2005, a patrol of about 30 SPDC troops from IB225, led by commander Zaw Min, came to Son Kuay village in Pung Pa Khem village tract, Murng-Ton township, stopped for a brief rest and left after getting some drinking water from the villagers.

After a short while, a shell dropped and exploded in the compound of the monastery at Son Kuay village, destroying an external altar and slightly wounding a novice monk who was walking in the compound.

The SPDC troops, who had just left, then came back to the village and said that one of them had accidentally fired an RPG towards the village and went to the monastery after they learned it had landed there.

A medic with the SPDC patrol then treated the wound in the thigh of the novice monk and the commander gave him 500 kyat of money to console him. But no one cared to do anything about the damaged altar.

Before leaving, the SPDC troops warned the monks and the villagers not to tell the authorities about the incident, otherwise they would come back and take action against them. Therefore, no one dared to file a complaint with the authorities.

CONFISCATION OF VEHICLES AND EXTORTION IN MURNG-TON, MURNG-SART AND TA-KHI-LAEK

In March and April 2005, hundreds of cars and trucks were confiscated from the people in several border townships with Thailand, including Murng-Ton, Murng-Sart and Ta-Khi-Laek, by the SPDC authorities, saying that those vehicles were illegal.

After confiscating their vehicles, the owners were charged with illegally importing and using vehicles without licences and forced to pay a fine of 20,000 kyat for each vehicle confiscated. Those who failed to pay the fine would have to face 5 years jail term, said the order.

Although small vehicles such as motorcycles and minitractors were not yet confiscated, the owners were often harassed and forced to pay taxes by different departments of the SPDC, and their vehicles were threatened to be confiscated if they failed to pay the taxes in time.

For example, as with the cases of Phaa Khe and Hawng Lin villages in Phaa Khe village tract, Murng-Ton township, although the yearly taxes had been collected by the SPDC troops from IB225, the police came to collect the taxes again after only 8-9 months.

Vehicles of those who could not pay the taxes immediately would be taken away by the police. The taxes were 2,000 kyat for each motorcycle and 4,000 kyat for each minitractor, and there were 16 motorcycles and 5 minitractors in the 2 villages.

The police said that they would continue to collect such vehicle taxes in all other villages in the area, and police in other townships would also do the same in their respective townships.