Dam cover

Dam cover-up for strategic road

The dam on the Salween project in Shan State has enabled Rangoon to build a strategic highway aimed at containing the recalcitrant Shan rebels along the border, according to a long-time border watcher in Thailand. 

The officer, who holds a military rank, told S.H.A.N. since signing up the Tasarng hydroelectric power plant agreement with Thailand's MDX Co. on 20 December, the Burmese army had been busy sending up engineering units and construction equipment from Rangoon to Mongton Township on the eastern side of the Salween. 

Their mission was to "bulldoze" a dirt track leading from Tasarng along the steep eastern bank to Ta Sopharng, the mouth of the Harng where it joins the Salween, and turn southeast through Loi Khilek and Mongjawd to Nakawngmu and Thailand's Nawng Ook village in Chiangdao District, bypassing Mongton altogether. The road, reportedly for the use of the MDX and the construction company to be chosen by it, after completion, will roughly be half as long as the existing thoroughfare that goes through Mongton (100 miles). 

The MDX officials, who have been at the dam site since 21 January, had already inspected the ongoing operation on 31 March, according to a Burmese report obtained by a border source. 

Overall security is being provided by Military Operations Command #17, commanded by Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing, stationed at Mongpan on the west bank, said the officer. 

"It will be part of the strategy to hem in the Shan State Army (that is active in the area) and eventually force it to submission." 

An observer remarked that explained why the anticipated military assaults against Shan bases in the area had been long overdue. "Last year operations against the Shans were already in full swing in April, a month before the battle of Pang Maisoong (20 May-20 June 2002)," he added.