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Villagers forced to porter during junta campaign against rebels
Burma army units active in areas of Mongkeung township, southern Shan State, has been forcing many villagers to porter and guide them during the recent operations against the Shan State Army (SSA) South, according to sources.
By Hseng
Khio Fah
14 November 2008
Since earlier in the month, the
Mongnai-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #518, commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Thant Zin Latt, has been patrolling in the areas of Mongkeung and Kehsi
townships in order to search the rebel group.
They went to catch
villagers from Harmngai, Wan Mong, Mong Hkun, Wan Khem, Wan Khong, Mong Kao and
Wan Kieng village tracts, to carry things and weapons including to show the way
to the locations of the rebel.
“There were at least 10 to 20 people
caught for one patrol,” said the source.
The villagers were forced not
only to porter but also to stand watch at night for the soldiers during the
patrols, said a villager from Mongkeung.
“It took at least over a week to
provide the service. We even have no time to work for our livelihood. It is very
hard for us to survive with this situation,” complained the villager.
The
LIB#518 is active in the area of Mongkeung and Kehsi townships. It comes under
the command of Col Khin Maung Tin of Mongnawng-based Military Operations Command
(MOC) #2.
Locals facing less opium output impact
