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THE 1997/1998 RELOCATION PROGRAM
THE 1997/1998 RELOCATION PROGRAM |
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| In March 1997, SLORC began relocating previously
untouched villages in seven out of the eight townships already affected by the 1996
relocations, as well as moving already existing relocation sites closer to the towns, to
bring the villagers further under their control. The only exception was Murng Su township,
where relocations were not continued after 1996, as the SURA troops were not operating
there. In May 1997, the relocation program spread south-east to the township of Murng Pan, where the SURA had started operating. Then in December 1997, relocations began to the east of the Salween to Murng Paeng, and in January-February 1998, the area of relocation spread to the west in the townships of Loi Lem and Ho Pong. During the relocations, the villagers were usually given only 3-7 days to move, but in some cases, the villagers were given no warning whatsoever, and houses were burned down with people still in them. The SPDC continues to provide nothing to the relocated villagers, and to use them for forced labour. They used for portering, road-construction, and work on nearby army camps such as building of barracks and fences. The total number of villages that have been forced to move since 1996 and remain relocated to the present is as follows:
With an average household containing at least 5 people, this means that at least 300,000 people have now been affected by the forced relocation. The affected areas now total approximately 7,000 square miles. |
Teenager killed but perpetrator still missing
