5. Deprivation of Livelihood

 

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

 

-Article 25, Paragraph (1), Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 

"Hunger persists in Myanmar not due to natural disaster or causes otherwise beyond human control, but rather because of the policies and practices of the Government of Myanmar, which deny people's right to food."

 

(Source: “Food Scarcity in Myanmar,” Asian Legal Resource Center, Sixtieth session of the Commission on Human Rights, United Nations Economic and Social Council 30 March 2004)

 

5.1 Background 

 

Throughout 2004, the majority of the population of Burma continued to struggle to maintain their standard of living. Since the military coup of 1962, the economy has steadily deteriorated, making it increasingly difficult for people in Burma to meet their basic needs. Despite a wealth of natural resources, the country suffers from widespread poverty. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has effectively destroyed a once robust economy through decades of misguided economic policies, rampant corruption, cronyism, and disproportionate spending on the military. In addition to a poorly functioning economy, a significant percentage of the population have seen their livelihoods threatened or destroyed as a result of systematic human rights violations perpetuated by the regime against civilians. These violations, which include forced labor, arbitrary taxation and extortion, forced relocation, land confiscation, and looting of money and property, are particularly endemic in ethnic minority areas. (For more information on forced labor and displacement please see relevant chapters.)

 

Independent data indicates that in 2004 agriculture accounted for 56.6% of Burma’s GDP, employed 70% of the workforce and provided the country with significant export earnings.  Despite this, many of Burma's farmers are struggling to maintain their livelihoods and as many as 25% of Burma's almost 50 million people continue to live below the poverty line.  Weak land rights, state intervention in the domestic market and restrictions on exports have severely impacted farmers' ability to provide for themselves and their families.  Despite the regimes announcement in April 2003 that it would withdraw from the rice market by ending its 40 year rice procurement policy, an export ban on rice and other essential commodities at the beginning of 2004 caused rice prices to fall below the cost of production, further impoverishing farmers.

 

Speaking at Burma's annual Peasants Day on 2 March 2004 Sr General Than Shwe recognized Burma's agricultural sector as "the nations main economic pillar" and called on farmers to "strive for full realization of the production targets" (source: "Economic Development Must be Building up the Nation," The New Light of Myanmar, 20 March 04).  However, low rice prices together with a sharp increase in the price of basic commodities, resulting from a salary rise for public servants at the end of 2003, brought significant hardship on Burma's already struggling population. Following her visit to Burma in September 2004, Sheila Sisulu, deputy executive director of the UN World Food Program, noted that restrictions on the free movement of agricultural products were "policies of the government [that] are impoverishing the people" (source: "Top Official Calls on Myanmar to Step up Reforms so Poor can Benefit," UN World Food Program Press Release, 14 September 2004).

 

Banking Crisis

 

In 2004, Burma's economy remained weak following the February 2003 private banking sector collapse.  The banking crisis, which saw a run on private banks following irresponsible lending, led the SPDC to restrict withdrawals, account transfers and credit card services. This further undermined public confidence in the private banking system and resulted in the closure of six banks throughout 2003.  It was also reported that a number of factories and small business were forced to close down as a result of the banking crisis. On 29 January 2004, three banks, the Myanmar Oriental Bank (MOB), Myanmar Universal Bank (MUB) and the Kanbawza Bank (KB), were granted approval by the Crisis Committee to reopen for normal business as of 2 February 2004 (source: Burma Briefing: Issues and Concerns Volume 1, ALTSEAN, November 2004).

 

Factors Affecting the Cost of Living

 

At the beginning of 2004, there were reports from Arakan State of a significant increase in the cost of basic commodities such as onion, garlic, chili, mustard oil, meat and fish. This increase was attributed to the regimes decision to increase government employees' salaries by 5,000 kyat per month as of 1 January (source: "Prices Rise in Arakan as the Salary of Government Servants Increase." Narinjara News, 9 January 2004). Conversely, there were reports of a significant decrease in the price of rice in the first half of 2004 following a six month export ban on rice and other commodities (source: "Burma Bans Rice Export," Irrawaddy, 14 January 2004) (Please see section titled "Forced Sale of Crops to the Government" for more information, below). In March, it was reported that a weakened economy had also caused a fall in the apartment rental market in Rangoon, with some rental prices falling by as much as a quarter (source "Lower Rent in Rangoon Due to Weakened Economy," Narinjara News, 13 March 2004). In addition to poor economic management, fees, such bus fares and port fees, also increased in areas where the SPDC auctioned licenses at high prices to local businesses. This situation was particularly acute in Arakan State (source: "Auctioning Means More Pain for the Arakanese People," Narinjara News, 14 April 2004). 

 

Economic Sanctions

 

On 8 July 2004, the U.S. renewed sanctions first introduced in July 2003 under the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act 2003. The Act, together with an Executive Order signed on the same day, barred all Burmese imports from U.S. markets, froze all assets of high-level SPDC and Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) officials in the U.S., and banned the provision of financial services to Burma. The financial services ban, which prohibits the transfer of U.S. dollars through Burmese banks, was mitigated in part when the regime changed their international trading currency to the euro in early 2004. Belgian conglomerate SWIFT was reported to have helped to establish bank accounts in euro and to have provided software and data for the conversion (source: "Banks Bust Burma Trade Ban," The Observer, 18 January 2004).

 

On 11 October 2004, the EU joined the U.S. in imposing both visa and financial sanctions against Burma.  The EU's Common Position on Burma, first introduced in 1996, states that sanctions will be imposed on those who "benefit from military misrule and those who actively frustrate the process of national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy" (source: "EU Council Common Position 2004," EU Statement, 23 April 2004). The EU reiterated its Common Position on Burma in April 2004 and in October 2004 called on the SPDC generals to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, cease harassment of the NLD and to allow genuine debate in the National Convention. As the regime ignored these demands, on 11 October 2004 the EU imposed a range of sanctions.  These sanctions included, an extended visa ban, a ban on EU based companies or organizations providing funding to public companies in Burma and a systematic EU vote against granting of loans to Burma by international institutions.

 

Throughout 2004, there were numerous reports for and against the imposition of sanctions on Burma. Those opposing sanctions, such as the International Crisis Group, have argued that sanctions wrongly target the civilian population by negatively affecting employment and income within Burma. It is further argued that such effects not only lead to greater levels of poverty but also to budget pressure which results in the government further cutting spending on social services.  Sanctions are therefore seen as having the greatest impact on ordinary civilians rather than on the regime. On the other hand, critics and organizations in favor of sanctions, such as Burma Economic Watch and ALTSEAN, have argued that Burma's economy is divided into two distinct sectors, the formal and the informal.  The later, which includes the majority of the population, is dominated by village based structures and focuses on subsistence agriculture.  The formal sector, which includes Burma's lucrative natural resource industries (logging, mining and petroleum) and the manufacturing, finance and banking sectors, is dominated by the SPDC and their state sponsored partners. Significantly, it is argued that targeted sanctions, such as those imposed by the U.S. and the EU, directly impact the formal sector while having minimal impact on the informal sector. Targeted sanctions therefore have little affect on the ordinary citizens of Burma while significantly undermining the regime's access to capital (source: Oehlers, A., "Sanctions and Burma: Revisiting the Case Against," Burma Economic Watch, Issue No. 2, 2004)

 

Tsunami

 

The Burmese government was extremely slow to respond to the tsunami that hit Asia on 26 December 2004. The regime not only denied the severity of the event in Burma but also hindered aid agencies from providing assistance to those affected by the disaster and did nothing to assist Burmese migrant workers in Thailand. While casualty figures remain disputed, the UN and the junta both estimate that between 60 and 80 people were killed in Burma. It was also reported that between 5,000 and 7,000 people were displaced and that up to 15,000 people would face longer term affects. In neighboring Thailand, it was estimated that between 2,500 and 3,000 Burmese migrant workers were killed and thousands more were reported as missing.  Burmese migrant workers were prevented from claiming dead family members and there were credible reports that migrant workers were denied relief aid due to their illegal status in Thailand. Following unfounded accusations that Burmese migrant workers were responsible for looting following the disaster, it was reported that over 2,000 Burmese were expelled from Thailand back to Burma.  To add insult to injury, it was reported in late January 2005 that 40 migrant workers were fined 700 baht each by Burmese authorities at Three Pagoda Pass for crossing the border and that Burmese authorities closed the Kawthaung border checkpoint at Kawthaung to prevent others from returning home (source: Tsunami Impact on Burma – Update 28 January 2005, ALTSEAN, January 2005).

 

5.2 Situation of Farmers in Burma

 

An estimated 70% of Burma’s workforce is employed in the agricultural sector and rice, being the nation’s staple food, is therefore extensively cultivated. The SPDC, which has retained the central planning and control of food production in the nation, has made various attempts to boost the production of rice and other agricultural products. Yet the methods which they have used have had disastrous results for the people who do the farming in Burma.

 

Right to Own Land

              

Cultivators in Burma have effectively lost the right to own land, as under sections 9-12 of the Lands Nationalisation and Agricultural Lands Act 1953, the right to transfer, partition or lease land can only occur with permission of the authorities. In the 1963 Tenancy Act, the State usurped the right of landowners to lease their land and the 1963 Protection of the Right to Cultivation Act stipulated that land would be protected from confiscation, except in the case of a) non-payment of dues owing to the State, and b) disputes arising from inheritance cases or actions taken by the State for security reasons. The State was further granted authority to confiscate land through Notification No. 4/78, which was enacted on 18 September 1978. This notification states that failure to sow the allotted land with the earmarked crops to obtain optimum results, or failure to sell the full crop quota to the government at the stipulated price, would result in confiscation of land. Currently village and township administrators have the power to confiscate land and the cultivators are compelled to follow their dictates with no means of protest. Local farmers are afforded a degree of land use rights but most literature or information explaining these laws is only available in Burmese language, making the information inaccessible to non-Burman ethnic minorities. In addition, this provides little mobility for the ethnic minorities to protest when their lands are confiscated by government officials or troops (source: Reclaiming the Right to Rice, BBC, October 2003).  

 

Forced Sale of Crops to the Government

 

In April 2003, the SPDC announced that as of 2004 the 40 year old paddy procurement policy would come to an end. The paddy procurement policy, which was implemented by the state agency Myanmar Agricultural Produce Trade (MART) proscribed the forced sale of rice to the government at fixed discounted prices as low as one sixth of the market rate. The MART also designated paddy land and collected a fixed quota based on land area.  This crop quota was essentially a crop tax and was justified by the SPDC as a means of feeding the armed forces, supplying discounted rice to civil servants and exporting rice and other crops in order to gain foreign currency. At the end of 2003, the government ceased the supply of subsidized rice to civil servants and provided them with a 5,000 kyat pay increase instead (source "Salary Hike for Burmese Civil Servants," DVB, 30 December 2003). In conjunction with the end of the rice procurement policy, the junta also announced that it would permit private sellers to export surplus rice, thus ending the government's monopoly of the international rice trade (source: "Burma's rice policy chaos sows economic seeds of doubt," The Financial Times, 14 February 2004).  In March 2004, the SPDC announced that it would allow for the free trade of sugarcane, cotton and rubber in an attempt to ensure "greater economic development and better practice of the market-oriented economic system" (source: "Economic Development Must be Building Up the Nation," The New Light of Myanmar, 20 March 2004).

 

Despite the government's claims that it was moving out of the rice market, in January 2004 the government unexpectedly placed a six month export ban on rice and other essential commodities, including chilies, onions, sesame and maize. This ban was reportedly motivated by fear that rising rice prices would place rice beyond the reach of both the army and ordinary citizens, thus fueling public outcry. The effect of the rice export ban was a sudden significant downturn in rice prices at precisely the time when farmers were preparing to sell an abundant harvest of 21 million tones (source: "Myanmar Slaps Sudden Ban on Rice Exports," AFP, 13 January 2004). One hundred baskets of paddy, which were expected to sell at more than the previous year's price of 150,000 kyat, were reported to be worth 60,000 kyat at the end of January. Farmers in Rangoon claimed that this price would not cover associated costs of production, including transplanting costs, labor for hired hands, fertilizers, pesticides and other expenses, and petitioned the SPDC Secretary 1 Lieutenant General Soe Win to increase paddy prices (source: "Burmese Farmers Petition Government Over Falling Prices," BBC Monitor, 25 January 2004).  In addition to falling rice prices, it was reported that rice traders, who were prevented by the export ban from filling international rice orders, were subject to legal action (source: "Myanmar Slaps Sudden Ban on Rice Exports," AFP, 13 January 2004).

 

There were credible reports that the forced sale of rice continued throughout 2004. In Arakan State, there were reports of SPDC soldiers buying rice and then forcing the farmers to provide the same amount of rice as a "donation". There were also reports of soldiers refusing to pay the SPDC set price of 1,300 kyat per tinn (source: "Arakanese Farmers Forced to Sell Rice to the Burmese Army," Narinjara News, 23 March 2004).  In December 2004, the Shan State Triangle Region Command ordered the Kengtung Township Rice Traders Association to purchase 100,000 baskets of rice at 3,800 kyat per basket and to then re-sell it to the army at 3,500 per basket.  In order to provide the rice traders with a small profit, the army allowed them to use a slightly more favorable measure. The market price was reportedly 4,500 kyat per basket.  Farmers were prohibited from selling their harvest outside the community until the army quota had been filled (source: "Forcible Paddy Purchase at Better Prices," SHAN, 10 December 2004).  

 

In November 2004, the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) reported that the SPDC had announced that they would officially reinstate rice procurement as of February 2005. The SHRF reported that in August 2004 the SPDC Township authorities in Murng-Ton Township announced the resumption of the rice procurement policy requiring farmers to sell their quotas to the authorities at a fixed price.  The quotas and prices would be announced closer to February 2005.  The authorities reportedly cited unreasonably low rice prices resulting from the SPDC's withdrawal from the rice market as justification for the resumption (source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, November 2004).

 

Dry Season Paddy Crops

 

In an attempt to increase paddy production throughout the country, the SPDC has for several years promoted summer, also known as dry season, paddy production.  Traditionally, farmers have cultivated a single rice crop per year, sown in the rainy season and reaped in the cool season of October – December.  Under the summer paddy program, a further crop is planted, raised and reaped in the hot season. The summer paddy scheme has several elements: development of irrigation systems such as dams and canals; introduction of high yielding hot-season rice strains; and use of new fertilizers pesticides and machinery to cope with the technical complications of the new crop. Summer paddy is especially fostered in the Irrawaddy Delta region, which is rich in both land and water resources. In 2004, it was reported that 0.68 million hectares of land had been designated for summer paddy cultivation in Irrawaddy Division (source: "Myanmar Top Leader Stresses Ensuring Food Security in the Future," Xinhua News Agency, 16 November 2004).

 

The cultivation of summer paddy has created new burdens for farmers.  In order to build roads, small dams and irrigation ditches, state-directed forced labor is often used.  Thus, farmers are required to work on these development projects and have less time to tend to their crops or engage in other subsistence activities.  Furthermore, the chemical fertilizers and the high yielding seeds required to produce a dry season crop are not distributed free to poor farmers, but are sold to them. Farmers who do not buy the necessary materials cannot participate in the program and their land, officially designated for double cropping, is reassigned to a more able household. Consequently, farmers will often go into debt in order to buy the necessary fertilizers and seeds to participate in the program.  However, insufficiency of water, inclement weather and unsuitability of crops to be cultivated can lead to an unsuccessful yield. It was reported that in some areas the government confiscated land from farmers who could not repay the loans they had taken out to obtain crop supplies (source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 28 February 2005). 

 

5.3 Situation of Labor in Burma

 

A surplus of labor, a dismal economy and lack of protection by the government continue to dictate substandard conditions for workers in Burma. As the majority of Burma's workforce is engaged in the agricultural sector and the informal sector, the labor affairs laws that do exist apply to only a small portion of the workforce. Furthermore, these laws are often outdated and ineffectual and minimum wage laws apply only to government employees and employees of a few traditional industries. Consequently, the majority of Burma's workforce is struggling for their livelihood under harsh conditions with inadequate pay and no process or system through which their grievances can be aired. Under the market economy system, which has been imposed during the period of SPDC governance, workers in foreign investment and joint venture projects and factories have had to suffer the following:

 

a)      Workers conditions are regulated by the 1964 Law on Fundamental Workers Rights and the 1951 Factories Act. Under these laws, public sector employees work a 5 day, 35 hour workweek while those employed in private and state enterprise work a 6 day, 44 hour workweek.  There are also provisions for the payment of overtime for additional work and a 24 hour rest period per week.  Workers are entitled to a 21 day paid holiday per year. In practice, very few employees outside the public sector abide by these laws.  For instance, staff and workers in supermarkets and factories, which have appeared as a result of the developing market economy, have to work about 10 hours a day in defiance of labor protection laws. Working on Saturday and overtime duties are also required, but there is no appropriate compensation. Instead, employees are sometimes paid a small amount of money or given some food.

 

b)      The majority of the workforce is not covered by minimum wage provisions and wages are generally insufficient for people to meet their basic living costs. The minimum daily wage for public employees, which is unilaterally set by the government, is $US 0.10 (100 kyat) for what is in effect an 8‑hour workday. Despite the various subsidies and allowances which supplement this sum, both low and senior public servants do not earn wages sufficient to provide themselves or their families with a decent standard of living. Consequently, widespread corruption and absenteeism is reported in the public sector. Urban laborers in the private sector earn approximately US$ 0.80 (800 kyat) per day, while rural agricultural workers earn approximately half that rate. A skilled factory worker in the private sector can earn as much as US$ 4 (4,000 kyat) per day.

 

c)      Foreign employers and joint ventures operate in Burma as well as in other countries throughout Southeast Asia. In Burma, however, workers receive salaries from foreign employers that are much lower than other countries’ minimum wages. Private employers generally set wages close to that offered by domestic private sector employers.  The government has also pressed joint ventures not to pay salaries higher than those of ministers and senior government employees. Some joint ventures and foreign firms have circumvented this by awarding supplemental wages and benefits.

 

d)      There are few viable processes or systems by which worker’s grievances can be aired. The government does not allow unions and therefore workers are unable to collectively organize and bargain for better working conditions.  The majority of workers are legally prohibited from striking.  Major labor disputes were once handled by the Central Arbitration Board, but this Board has been dormant since 1988.  While Township level labor supervisory committees do exist, in practice, there are no clear mechanisms for the resolution of disputes and workers are often too afraid to complain.  Furthermore, there are no step by step appeal programs for negotiations, interventions and plenary discussion. Workers, therefore, suffer considerably.
 

e)      According to job appointment rules, the employer has the right to dismiss any worker from employment without giving a month’s advance notice, as outlined in existing labor laws. This grants excessive power for exploitation to the employer and prevents a stable workforce from forming at work sites.

 

f)        Despite the fact that health and safety regulations exist, the government does not provide the necessary resources to enforce these regulations.  Workers, who in principle can remove themselves from dangerous conditions, do not do so out of fear of losing their jobs.  Furthermore, the Labor Compensation Act excludes workers earning over 400 kyat per month.   Employers who pay more than this can claim that their workers are not covered by the Compensation Act.

 

Wages in Burma are generally insufficient for people to meet their basic living costs. In the beginning of 2004, it was reported that civil servants received a 5,000 kyat per month pay increase in compensation for the government's decision to stop the supply of rice subsidies to state employees. This, together with an export ban on rice and other commodities, led to a sharp increase in commodity prices and a dramatic fall in the price of rice. According to a Rangoon civil servant, the pay increase has left civil servants worse off (source: "Salary Hike for Burmese Civil Servants," DVB, 5 January 2004). Farmers have also been severely affected by the export ban as the price of rice has fallen below production costs (source: "Burmese farmers petition government over falling prices," BBC Monitor, 25 January 2004). In order to find ways to supplement their meager incomes, many government servants, including administrators, educators and those in the healthcare sector, are forced to resort to bribery and corruption. Thousands of others are forced to leave Burma and work as migrant laborers in wealthier countries in the region. (Please also see chapter on migrant workers.)

 

Other Factors Contributing to the Deprivation of Livelihood

 

People in areas across Burma are subjected to numerous demands for their hard-earned currency and their hard-pressed time. As the government spends an estimated 50% of the national budget on strengthening the armed forces, there is little money allotted for the needs of the nation. Indeed, even the armed forces are not adequately provided for. In 1988, the military regime in Rangoon informed its field units that rations would be cut back significantly and that they would, in essence, have to "fend for themselves," by producing their own food or obtaining it from villagers in their areas of operation. Since the advent of this "Self Reliance Program," thousands of acres of land have been confiscated from civilians, without compensation, for army food production or factories. The ousted farmers and local villagers are then frequently made to act as serfs on their former land, planting and harvesting crops for the army battalions who took the land from them.

 

The SPDC has prided itself on undertaking efforts to improve the nation, such as the building of roads, bridges and railroads. Yet, it has been at the expense of the people of Burma that these national infrastructure projects have been carried out. The projects, which are often for military benefit, are usually severely under funded, and the local people are required to not only contribute funds and materials but to also build the projects themselves, at their own time and without pay. 

 

At the township and village administrative levels, there is also a lack of government funding. Again local people are made to compensate for these deficiencies in the national budget. Townships and villages are also subject to the 1988 "Self Reliance Program," which requires them to find their own funding for various public and social services, such as schools. In addition to the economic burden this entails, people in areas of armed conflict are also subject to the additional demands associated with a significant military presence in their regions. Villagers in areas of armed conflict are expected to fully support the army battalions located in their area. They are required to build and maintain the army barracks, supplying the materials themselves, and to then send "servants" to work at these bases. No compensation for this work is provided. Villagers are also forced to give food, and any other items that army personnel demand from them.

 

1) Official and Unofficial Taxes and Levies

 

Through several officially sanctioned fees and taxes, as well as arbitrary demands for money from corrupt officials and army personnel, the people of Burma are expected to pay for everything from road construction supplies to state sport ceremonies. The income of Burma’s people is sapped by these constant fees and most households are forced to pay several thousands of kyat per month in these types of levies. Many villagers are unable to pay and, as a result, are often forced to flee their homes to avoid punishment by the authorities. The most common types of taxes and levies are listed below.

 

- Porter and Forced Labor Fees: A common practice, especially in conflict areas, is for the villagers to pay a mandatory "porter fee" to the local army battalion. The funds collected from this fee are supposed to go towards hiring porters for army operations. Yet in most cases, these fees are kept by the battalion officers, who then proceed to demand that the villagers supply porters for the army, even after the fee has been paid. These fees are usually around 500 – 1,000 kyat per household, per month. In addition, villagers who are unable to fulfill their forced labor duties are made to pay fines of varying amounts to local government or army authorities.

 

- Administration fees: In several localities across Burma the local people are made to pay monthly fees for township or village level administration costs. These fees, and whether or not they are actually used for administrative purposes, vary from place to place.

 

- Festival and Ceremony Fees: Often the government does not provide enough money for their state-sanctioned festivals and ceremonies, including religious and sport festivals and even anti-NLD rallies. Where the government falls short, the people are expected to contribute. Government officials, including USDA members commonly send letters or go door to door demanding money for such occasions. In some instances, after the people have given their money, the said occasion never occurs at all.

 

- Taxes for Development Projects: The social, education and health sectors in Burma are seriously neglected by the SPDC, and thus suffer from an acute shortage of government funding. Local people are often required to pay for the construction of educational and health-care facilities, as well as for the running of numerous training programs. In addition, although the SPDC has taken credit for the various national infrastructure projects, it is the local people who are most often responsible for the financing of such projects. Government funding for such development projects is often insufficient or swindled by corrupt officials and the villagers are ordered to provide the money or the supplies necessary for the projects.

 

- Taxes and Fees for Local Army Units: Civilians are regularly required to pay for the needs of local army units. In addition to demands for food and supplies, they must meet demands for other various expenses which come up, such as the need for army walkie-talkies. Villagers commonly cover the cost for the construction of army related buildings, or supply the necessary materials. In addition, villagers in conflict areas are often forced to pay for lost guns when soldiers desert the army, or pay for the upkeep of surrendered rebels.

 

- Check points: Travel in Burma involves negotiating passage through numerous checkpoints that are operated by various branches of the State such as the military, police and ceasefire groups. Most exit and entry points to towns have permanent checkpoints. In addition, numerous temporary checkpoints are set up at anytime. These checkpoints inevitably demand payment from those traveling. If cash can not be produced, the authorities demand other items instead. A truck may be required to relinquish farm produce or consumer items it is transporting as a form of payment.  According to a cattle trader who drives cattle through Chin State into India, "We used to pay 1,000 - 1,500 kyat per cattle at the most in previous trips, but now the police and the soldiers have excessively and randomly demanded the so called cross border tax and we can’t make any profit at all” (source: "The Tale of Cross Border Cattle Traders," Rhododendron News, CHRO, September-October 2004). 

 

- Arbitrary Fees, Fines and Taxes: Army officers posted to remote conflict areas, as well as officials in central Burma, all receive opportunities to extort money from local villagers with impunity. There are several army officers who have become rich as a result of the numerous schemes they come up with to acquire money. People are therefore subjected to numerous "unofficial" levies, fines and taxes. In some cases people are not even given an explanation as to what their money is going for, but are just told to hand over a certain amount. Officers and soldiers seeking money have been known to set up temporary roadblocks on highways or bridges to demand money from people passing through. Some of these arbitrary levies are associated with discrimination against religious or ethnic minorities, such as in the case of arbitrary taxes which exist only for Muslim Rohingya people in Arakan State.

 

2) Forced Labor

 

Despite the fact that the government of Burma ratified Order No. 1/99 in 2000 which banned forced labor, the well-documented use of civilians as forced laborers has provided Burma with a massive labor force with which to build up its army and national infrastructure (please see chapter on forced labor for more information). This labor is mandatory, unpaid and requires that villagers spend varying amounts of time away from their own work. In addition to the economic strain that time away from work brings, the people are also required to provide their own food and equipment for the duration of the forced labor duty. The demand of forced labor is often too strenuous for the already over-burdened people of Burma. Most refugees and migrant workers cite forced labor requirements as one of the major reasons for fleeing across the border.

 

In 2004, the continued widespread use of forced labor in Burma prompted the International Labor Organization (ILO) to reconsider the imposition of sanctions. Several factors, including the sentencing to death of three men on charges which included having contact with the ILO, raised serious concern about the regime's commitment to the elimination of forced labor within Burma. Following the ousting of Khin Nyunt from the position of Prime Minister on 19 October 2004, the ILO decided to send a high level team to Burma to evaluate current attitudes and assess the determination of authorities to address the issue of forced labor.  The high level team is due to provide a report to the ILO Governing Body in March 2005.

 

3) Land Confiscation

 

As mentioned above, weak land rights have provided the government of Burma with various opportunities to deprive citizens of their land.  In addition to land confiscated to provide room for army battalions, the government often takes over land that is intended for development projects. People are rarely compensated for land that has been confiscated. In cases where compensation is given, the amount is usually well below market value. The confiscation of land, which is the sole source of livelihood for many people in Burma, is a major infringement upon their right to an adequate livelihood as well as to their property rights.

 

4) Destruction of Property

 

Loss of property is an obvious hindrance to the livelihood of an individual and their family, yet the SPDC continues to engage in activities that result in the uncompensated destruction of property such as homes and fields. In areas of ethnic conflict this practice is carried out under the "four cuts" campaign, in which the army seeks to undermine opposition groups' access to food, funds, information, and recruits by targeting the local community.  In part of this policy, known as the "scorched earth" campaign, SPDC troops relocate villages in known insurgent areas and then burn and destroy everything in the area. The burning of villages is a common procedure following relocation or in campaigns to "search and destroy" opposition forces. Property is also destroyed by the army in other areas of Burma if it stands in the way of planned army or national infrastructure projects.

 

5) Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions

 

The army in Burma, which sees itself as being the "father of the nation," has long expected the support of the country’s civilians. The various incarnations of the military regime have attempted to instill a mentality in the people in which aiding the armed forces is seen as a national and patriotic duty. However, Burma's army personnel have always been underpaid, especially the lower level soldiers and privates, and this has led to their frequent looting of villager property.  In the years since the 1998 "Self Reliance Program," when the SPDC cut rations for the armed forces, this looting and expropriation of food and possessions has become condoned by the State. Some units even detail officers whose main task is to organize this activity. Army units on patrol who pass through villages simply take what they wish of the villagers’ food and possessions, or else send letters demanding that the villagers bring it to them. Some officers even send "shopping lists" to the local village heads, requesting such things as soap, oil, chicken, rice and cases of beer. The armed forces rarely pay for the items which they extort. Villagers are even sometimes forced to provide money, food and other provisions for army personnel when they wish to make offerings at local Buddhist temples.

 

6) Restrictions on Trade, Travel and Cultivation

 

Restrictions on trade, travel and cultivation are frequently imposed by the SPDC army, especially in areas of armed conflict, and this has made things even more difficult for individuals attempting to make a living and survive. Many people living in areas under SPDC control are restricted from leaving their villages and must pay for passes from authorities in order to gain permission to leave. These passes often only allow travel within a short period, sometimes only from dawn to dusk. For villagers attempting to work in fields or towns far away, it is nearly impossible to do what is necessary to make a living and then get back on time. The SPDC has, at times, enforced special travel restrictions in which people are banned from leaving their villages altogether. In these cases, harvests are often destroyed or lost along with other work opportunities.  Some travel restrictions are associated with discrimination against religious or ethnic minorities, such as in the case of travel restrictions which exist only for Muslim Rohingya people in Arakan State.

 

Another factor, which affects the ability of people in Burma to make a living, is the existence of landmines. Landmines are often laid by the Tatmadaw in and around villages after villagers have been forcibly relocated.  Villagers who refuse to obey relocation orders often flee into the jungle and live as IDPs (internally displaced persons). The landmines are placed in and around villages to prevent villagers from returning to gather their belongings or tend to their fields.  Consequently, landmines both restrict villagers' ability to tend to their fields and also limit the areas in which labor-seekers are able to move.

 

Trade restrictions imposed by the authorities also result in economic hardship for the people of Burma. In 2002, the SPDC's over zealous rice export program depleted rice reserves in Arakan State and caused a manmade famine in the region.  In 2004, the SPDC's six-month ban on rice exports caused rice prices in the country to fall below the cost of production, severely affecting the livelihood of the countries rice farmers.

 

5.4 Situation in Arakan State

 

The economic situation in Arakan State remained poor throughout 2004 due to continued excessive taxation, land confiscation and restrictions on trade and travel imposed throughout the state. In early 2004 it was reported that military officials in Sittwe Township had banned both the export of basic commodities, such as rice, cooking oil, salt, chili, onion and garlic, to neighboring Bangladesh and had also canceled permits to transport such commodities throughout Sittwe Township. The ban reportedly resulted in a deceleration in trade of these commodities to Arakan State from other parts of Burma. Consequently a sharp increase in the price of basic commodities was reported throughout the state (source: "Burma Stops the Export of Basic Commodities," Narinjara News, 10 January 2004).  This increase was contrasted with a significant decrease in the price of rice throughout 2004. This severally affected the ability of farmers to generate an adequate income to meet the rising cost in basic commodities. In September 2004, a 50 kg bag of rice cost between 5,000 and 5,500 kyat, less than half the price of rice during the same period of the previous year (source: "Essentials Prices Soaring at Western Border of Burma," Kaladan News, 29 September 2004)Furthermore, despite the changes to the state paddy procurement policy, there were reports of forced sale of rice to the military and demands by the military for the "donation" of rice (source: "Arakanese Farmers Forced to Sell Rice to the Burmese Army," Narinjara News, 23 March 2004).  This, together with excessive taxation, made it increasingly difficult for farmers, traders, and others to make an adequate living.

 

Arakan State has been victim to numerous natural disasters and these disasters have had a severe impact on people's livelihoods.  On 19 May 2004, the worst cyclone to hit Western Burma in over 40 years hit Arakan State. According to the Red Cross, at least 220 people were killed and 14,000 others left homeless.  Despite the immediate and long-term affects of the cyclone on people's livelihoods, the Burmese government did not allow any independent monitoring of foreign aid distribution in the area. (Source: Tsunami Impact on Burma – Update as of 4 January 2005, ALTSEAN, January 2005)

 

While the measures which deprive civilians of an adequate livelihood are imposed on all ethnicities residing in Arakan State, including the majority Rakhine Buddhist population, some of the most severe restrictions are directed towards the Rohingya. The abuses suffered by the Rohingya stem, in part, from the fact that they are denied access to Burmese citizenship. Under the 1982 Citizenship Law, the Rohingya are deprived of citizenship as they are not included in the list of the 135 “national races” of Burma nor are most able to provide evidence of their ancestors residing in Burma prior to British annexation of the country in 1923. The Rohingya are therefore identified as illegal immigrants in Burma and consequently suffer unparalleled restrictions on movement, excessive taxation, land confiscation and demands for forced labor.  These human rights abuses have severely impeded the Rohingyas' ability to access an adequate livelihood and many have subsequently been forced to flee. The human rights abuses suffered by the Rohingya population reportedly increased markedly following the creation of the Nasaka border security force in 1992.  Following the removal of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt from office on 19 October 2004, the Nasaka was disbanded and replaced by the military. There were initial reports that human rights abuses, including arbitrary taxes, marriage fees, travel authorization fees, extortion and corruption had significantly declined following the disbanding of the Nasaka (source: "Overview of the Bangladesh-Burma Border," Forum Asia, 10 November 2004). However, the military has retained a border security forces within Arakan State and the junta has renamed the Nasaka as the Nakapa.  By the beginning of 2005, it was reported that human rights abuses against the Rohingya had increased to the level previously witnessed prior to Khin Nyunt's removal (source: Forum Asia, May 2005). 

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

Between 19 December 2003 and 1 January 2004, it was reported that the Nasaka authorities were taking photographs of Rohingya families in Maungdaw Township and Buthidaung Township, northern Arakan State. Though the Rohingya families already had family photographs, which had been taken earlier, the Nasaka authorities took new photographs and forcing the families to pay 1,700 kyat. It was further reported that sometimes the Nasaka and Immigration officials took photographs without film inside the camera and that while they charged the family for the photograph they never returned the photograph to the family.  (Source: "Nasaka (Border Security Force) taking Photos of Rohingya Families," Kaladan News, 1 January 2004)

 

On 4 January 2004, bridegroom, Nurul Alam (age 19), son of Matiur Rahaman of Taungbro Right village, Maungdaw Township, canceled his engagement and wedding plans to his future bride, upsetting her and her family.  When the bride's family complained to the Nasaka authorities they arrested the bridegroom.  The bridegroom was only released after paying 100,000 kyat to the Nasaka, money that should have gone to the bride's family.  (Source: "Nasaka Benefited but Villager Lost in Arakan," Kaladan News, 16 January 2004)

 

On 11 January 2004, a traffic police officer arrested Azizul Amin (age 17), son of Abu Sufian of Habi Para village, 3 miles from the northern side of Maungdaw Town, for an alleged violation of traffic regulations. The victim was severely beaten and detained for 1 night in prison before 70,000 kyat was paid for his release. (Source: “A Motor Cyclist Fined Kyat 70,000 by Police at Maungdaw Town,” Kaladan News, 19 January 2004)

 

On 29 February 2004, Nasaka authorities extorted 700,000 kyat from a Rohingya villager in Maugdaw Township, Arakan State. Sayed Hossain (age 42), son of Khalilur Rahman from Odaung village, Maungdaw South, was arrested on 27 February 2004 by a team of Nasaka from sector No. 8 and accused of human trafficking. According to a relative of the victim, the reason behind the arrest was that Sayed Hossain is a wealthy person in the area. On 26 February 2004, a team of Nasaka accompanied by Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) members went to his house and demanded 5 million kyat, which he could not afford to pay. He was then taken to the Nasaka sector No. 8 HQs and charged with human trafficking. After 2 days, he was able to bribe the Nasaka through Karim Ullah, the VPDC Chairman of the village, with 700,000 kyat for his release. Similar cases are common in the northern Arakan, especially in Rohingya areas. ("Continued Extortion of Money in Northern Arakan," Kaladan News, 10 March 2004)

 

In early March 2004, fisherman in Maungdaw Township would typically be preparing their boats for the next fishing season. However, due to a lack of capital to build new boats, repair old ones or make fishing nets, some fisherman have resorted to acquiring high interest loans to maintain their fishing equipment. It was reported that as they were unable to repay their debts from last season, moneylenders have refused to lend these fishermen more money to complete this year's maintenance. This problem is further compounded by the taxes fisherman are forced to pay to SPDC authorities. Fishermen are required to pay 2,500 - 12,500 kyat, depending on the size of their fishing nets, for a license from the Nasaka authorities. Fisherman also have to pay 3,500 kyat every 15 days and a 5,000 kyat once off payment for a book used by Nasaka to keep records on each fisherman. Finally, fishermen are required to pay 120,000 kyat to the local Nasaka agent for a 1 year permit. (Source: “Bad Days for Fishermen in Coastal Areas,” Kaladan News, 3 March 2004)

 

On 8 March 2004, Military Intelligence Division 10 demanded funds from dry-fish transport boats belonging to non government organizations in Thandwe Township.  The boats are all founded and organized with the blessing of the Junta. The MI agents demanded "donations" of 5,000 kyat from small boats and 10,000 kyat from larger boats.  The funds are to support the Myanmar Mother and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Woman Affairs Federation and the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA). A motor boat owner from Thandwe Township said, "If the boat owner refuses to pay, the boat would not be signed in the port logbook." This could lead to being accused of engaging in "illegal" activities, such as smuggling goods from neighboring countries. Furthermore, a boat cannot start its journey without first being recorded in the logbook. It is believed that the MI have targeted the dried fish transport industry because Thandwe's dried Nga Nee Duu fish production is doing well in both domestic and export markets. Thandwe mainly sells both Nga Nee Duu and Nga Koune Nyo dried fish to Sittwe (Akyab), the capital of Arakan State, and Rangoon, the capital of Burma. (Source: "The Burmese Military Intelligence Extorts Money from the Fish Boats for NGOs," Narinjara News, 8 March 2004)

 

On 30 June 2004, Military Intelligence (MI) in Maungdaw Township extorted 3 crore kyat from 3 Rohingya cattle traders. The traders were:

  1. Mohamed Ismail, age 47, of Myo Thu Gyi village (Khan Da Para);
  2. Mohamed Ali, age 45, of Myo Thu Gyi village (Khan Da Para); and
  3. Kamal, age 55, of Shikdar Para village in Maungdaw Township.

MI reportedly arrested the cattle traders on 1 June 2004, while they were moving cattle from the southern side of Maungdaw Town to the Shikdar Para, where they were living. It was alleged that the cattle traders were smuggling the cattle to Bangladesh. The traders possessed licenses from the authorities of Maungdaw Township for the fiscal year of 2004.  The licenses permitted the traders to move cattle from other towns of Arakan State and sell them in Maungdaw Township. They were therefore legal traders from which the government receives a great deal of money in taxes. After their arrest, they were detained at MI camp until their release on 30 June 2004. They were severely tortured while they were in MI custody in order to force them to confess that the cattle were being sent to Bangladesh. After nearly 1 month, the traders were set free on 30 June 2004 after bribing the MI officer with 3 crore kyat. (Source: "MI Extorted Money from Rohingya Traders," Kaladan News, 28 August 2004)

 

On 4 July 2004, Captain Aung Kyaw Moe, Nasaka commander of sector no. 4, called a meeting with the village chairman, village secretaries and the villagers of Kyein Chaung and Pruma villages in Maungdaw Township.  In the meeting, the commander ordered Rohingya villagers to demolish houses which had constructed tin roofs. In 1999 – 2000, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt visited the area and instructed villagers to decorate the town and construct quality roofing for houses in the area.  Villagers therefore constructed tin roofs in accordance with this order and with the permission of the appropriate authorities.  Captain Aung Kyaw Moe denied that this was the case and charged the villagers with illegally modifying their houses.  To avoid having to destroy their homes, villagers had to pay a fine of 500,000 kyat. As this order came in the rainy session, participants requested the commander to withdraw the order as many villagers would have difficulty finding alternative accommodation if forced to destroy their homes.  The commander would not withdraw the order and it is estimated that 120 houses in the 2 villagers were affected by the order.  While some villagers were able to pay the 500,000 kyat fine, most villagers were too poor to afford this.  Nasaka forces also arrested and detained 3 villagers who were discussing the order after the meeting. They were later released after money was extorted from them. (Source: "Nasaka Issued Ultimatum to the Villagers whether to Pay Kyat 500, 000 or to Demolish the Houses'" Kaladan News, 20 July 2004)

 

On 18 October 2004, it was reported that Nasaka authorities forcibly extracted "donations" and labor from Rohingya villagers in Maungdaw Township for the construction of a Buddhist pagoda and temple. In June 2004, Nasaka authorities established a Natala village (model village) named Aung Thaya "model village" near Wabag village (Myaw Taung village), Maungdaw Township. The "model village" is occupied by 130 families, consisting of 242 males and 253 females. Settlers were brought in from Burma proper and the village consists of a pagoda, monastery and community center.  The village is built on confiscated land from the Rohingya and the Rohingya were also forced to provide labor and "donations" for the construction of the Natala village. Villagers from Wabag (Myaw Taung), Maung Hna Ma, Thet Kai Pyin (Nanda Khali) and Zambonnya (Zinbaingya) were also forced to provide labor for the construction of the pagoda and monastery.  It was further reported that Nasaka authorities also confiscated paddy fields from nearby Rohingya villagers for redistribution to Natala villagers. (Source: "Nasaka Forcibly Extracts Labor and Donations from Rohingya Villagers," Kaladan News, 18 October 2004)

 

Land Confiscation

 

Between December 2003 and January 2004, the Military Operation Planning Bureau, under Western Military Command, confiscated grazing and farm land traditionally owned by villagers in Ponnagyum Township. The plots of land confiscated were:

  1. plot No Kha/ 639 near the mile stone 176/3 under Aung Fru Bran village track;
  2. plot No. Kha/ 667 near mile stone 160/1 under Yotayook village track; 
  3. plot No. 676/1 under Thaydaw village track; and
  4. plot No Khagway/ 629 near the milestone on Sittwe - Ann highway.

 (Source: "Western Military Command Continuing Grabbing Private Land," Narinjara News, 6 February 2004)

 

On 15 April 2004, the local SPDC authorities based in Minbra confiscated pasture land in Htane Pin village tract and then rented the land back to local residents in order to make money.  Fifty acres of land was confiscated by MI 10 officer Min Bya and SPDC soldier Sin Gri Bran, based with LIB 380.  The local authorities also demanded 30 baskets of rice for the use of an acre of confiscated land.  The rice was collected to fund the troops.  Traditionally, the confiscated pastoral land had been left unattended and was used as pasture lands for farm animals.  Since the land has been confiscated, farmers are facing a shortage of animal fodder. (Source: "People Farm, the Army Funds, "Narinjara News, 15 April 2004)

 

On 17 September 2004, it was reported that the Nasaka confiscated approximately 315 acres of farmland from villagers in Buthidaung Township.  Since the beginning of August 2004, villagers have been recruited as forced labor to work on the confiscated land producing rice paddy.  Villagers from the following village tracts were ordered to provide forced labor:

  1. Kyaung Taung village tract,
  2. Tan May village tract and
  3. Bada Gar village tract.

Only poor villagers were ordered to provide forced labor.  More affluent villagers were required to pay 500 - 1,000 kyat per family to the Nasaka authorities. It was also reported that on 10 August 2004 the commander of Nasaka sector No. 9 conducted a field survey of the above mentioned areas. The local Nasaka authorities put the laborers in a nearby jungle to avoid them being seen by the sector commander. Local Nasaka authorities threatened the villagers with punishment if they informed the higher authorities about their demands for forced labor.  In the second week of August 2004, a delegation from Rangoon arrived in Buthidaung Township and instructed the local authorities not to take forced labor from any villagers. Furthermore, 15 families in the village were ordered to provide a cook to the police camp. In order to avoid forced labor and for the salary of the cook, the 15 families had to pay 500 kyat per family per month. (Source: "Confiscation of 315 Acres for Nasaka Business and Forced Labor," Kaladan News, 17 September 2004)

 

Forced Sale of Crops

 

On 23 March 2004, it was reported that since 16 February 2004 SPDC troops under the Western Command have been buying rice from Arakanese farmers in Sittwe Township and either refusing to pay the full price of the rice or forcing the farmers to give them mandatory “donations.”  According to 1 local farmer from Mrauk-Oo, “In the remote villages, especially those upstream on the Lay Myo river, the army buys 10 tinn (1 tinn = 32 kg) of rice with money and then force farmers to give 10 more tinn as a "donation" to the army.” The price of rice is set by the SPDC in Rangoon at 1,300 kyat per tinn. (Source: "Arakanese Farmers Forced to Sell Rice to the Burmese Army," Narinjara News, 23 March 2004)

 

Military Monopoly on Trade and Agriculture

 

On 9 January 2004, it was reported that the price of basic commodities had increased significantly in Sittwe Township after the Burmese government increased the salary of government servants. The Burmese government has ceased the supply of rice to government servants and provided a 5,000 kyat salary rise to compensate. The salary increase, effective as of January 2004, has seen the price of cooking oil increase from 1,400 kyat a viss (1.75 kg) to 1,500 kyat, onions from 600 to 1,200, garlic from 700 kyat to 1,000 kyat and chili from 1,500 kyat to 1,800 kyat. The price of rice has reportedly fallen.  The price of goods has affected wage earners (non-government employees) and the fall in the price of rice has negatively affected farmers. (Source: "Prices Rise in Arakan as the Salary of Government Servants Increase," Narinjara News, 9 January 2004)

 

On 10 January 2004, it was reported that Burmese military officials in Sittwe Township had, as of 5 January 2004, banned the export of basic commodities to neighboring Bangladesh. The banned commodities are rice, cooking oil, salt, chili, onion, garlic and items that are used to produce cooking oil such as peanut and sesame seeds. There has not been any incident where these commodities have been prevented from entering Arakan State, the western border state to Bangladesh, but the permit to transport such commodities through the townships has been cancelled. With the ceasing of these border trade commodities, the trade between Arakan State and mainland Burma has also slowed. Hence, the price of these commodities has risen sharply in Arakan State. It is reported that the military junta is attempting to control the price of basic commodities by controlling the foreign trade of these commodities.  (Source: "Burma Stops the Export of Basic Commodities," Narinjara News, 10 January 2004)

 

On 10 February 2004, it was reported that Military Intelligence (MI) at Sandoway in Arakan State cancelled the permits of 20 privately owned timber mills. MI 18 closed these mills in order to take over the timber milling business and produce cheaper timber needed for the construction of bungalows at Ngapali Tourist Center. After closing these mills, MI officers have opened 6 timber mills in Zi Fru Goon village and Lan Tha village. The permits had originally been granted by the Burmese government.  U Thin Tun, U Maung Ni and U Foe Thant were among the mill owners whose permits were cancelled. (Source: "Ban on Private Timber Mills by MI at Sandoway," Narinjara News, 10 February 2004)

 

On 9 March 2004, it was reported that local authorities in Maungdaw Township have made a tender for the right to produce salt in Maungdaw Township. During the 2004 salt session the Nasaka tendered for the Ngu Khu Ra salt farm.  The farm was sold to Than Shwe from Sittwe, who is close to the Nasaka commander, for 300,000 kyat.  Than Shwe resold the rights to produce salt and leased the plot of land at a high price.  This has affected many local salt farmers who are now unable to afford the price of the land lease.  A local salt farmer said, "We only have to produce salt for the local use, within Arakan State.  There wasn't any international market.  Only under the junta, the salt is more expensive.  It is because our neighboring countries buying it. Now, the junta is making some field for salt production and selling them to the highest bidder who has connections and cash.  Currently, Ko Than Shwe is selling them back to us at an unreasonably high price.  We would not be able to attain it at all [sic]." (Source: "The Big Shot Contractor Destroying the Salt Industry in Arakan," Narinjara News, 9 March 2004)

 

On 14 April 2004, it was reported that the military in Akyab has been auctioning off permits to operate markets, ports and bus stations. During this time, permit prices have been increasing, creating economic hardship for the local community. Because these permits have no guidelines regarding fees, those who are able to obtain the permits by being the highest bidders use the permits to extort money from those who were not able to obtain the permits. For example, those with permits that control areas of the Pha Du and Soe Mae Gee rivers will force fisherman to sell their dried fish at 50% of its value and make them pay a fine of 130-500 kyat depending on how much fish the fisherman has with him. Therefore, extortion by the local junta has led to further extortion by members of the local community to compensate for the initial extortion perpetrated by the military in Akyab. (Source: "Auctioning Means More Pain for the Arakanese People," Narinjara News, 14 April 2004)

 

On 29 September 2004, it was reported that the prices of essentials goods were rising in Maungdaw market, Arakan State.  Essential goods are in short supply, threatening hardship for those with middle to low incomes during the month of Ramadan. Almost all vegetables and essential items are selling at a higher price per kilogram compared to prices in recent weeks. The price of rice has reportedly gone down significantly. Traders and shopkeepers attribute the increase in prices to lack of supply as the new harvest will not reach the market for at least another month. A businessman told Kaladan Press, “I am spending 800 kyat a viss (1 viss = 1.75 kg) of peas which used to sell at 600 kyat."  A 50 kg bag of rice was being sold at 5,000-5,500 kyat whereas it would have sold for 6,000 kyat one month ago. (Source: "Essentials Prices Soaring at Western Border of Burma," Kaladan News, 29 September 2004)

 

Other Incidents Affecting Livelihood

 

On 19 May 2004, it was reported that a cyclone hit Arakan State killing 520 people and leaving 20,000 people homeless.  The following townships were severely affected:

  1. Sittwe Township,
  2. Minbya Township,
  3. Myebon Township and
  4. Pauktaw Township

It was reported that on 7 June 2004 Prime Minister Khin Nyunt arranged a roundtrip from Rangoon to Akyab for 35 wealthy Rohingya wishing to provide relief aid to the victims of the cyclone. At present, Rohingya are banned from traveling to Rangoon from Arakan State.  It was reported that the delegation of 35 Rohingya donated US$ 267,000 (240.3 million kyat) to the victims of the cyclone while the Rakhine people from Rangoon donated only US$ 50,000 (45 million kyat). While distributing the relief aid among the cyclone victims the local officials did not distribute relief aid to Rohingya victims, stating that they were not citizens of Burma.  The delegation of Rohingya, sensing the discrimination of relief aid distribution, secretly distributed some money among the Rohingya victims.  (Source: "Rohingya Barred from Cyclone Relief in Arakan," Kaladan News, 18 June 2004)

 

5.5 Situation in Chin State

 

Throughout 2004, Tatmadaw forces continued to loot, steal, destroy and extort money, livestock, and other goods and supplies from the villagers of Chin State. Significantly, there were widespread reports throughout the year of military forces and police extorting money from livestock traders on their way to sell livestock in Mizoram State, India. In August 2004, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) reported that five cattle traders, who were driving twenty six cows to India through Chin State, were first stopped by police, who demanded 150,000 kyat as a cross border fee, and then stopped again by a military patrol, who demanded a further fee of 100,000 kyat. According to CHRO, the traders stated, "We used to pay 1,000 - 1,500 kyat per cattle at the most in previous trips, but now the police and the soldiers have excessively and randomly demanded the so called cross border tax and we can’t make any profit at all.” CHRO further reported that Indian officials impose a "village crossing" fee of 50 – 100 rupee per head of cattle on livestock traders at every village they pass through in Mizoram State (source: "The Tale of Cross Border Cattle Traders,"Rhododendron News, CHRO, September-October 2004).  Such excessive fees have severely affected cattle farmers and traders ability to sustain their livelihoods.

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 15 January 2004, Burmese soldiers in Lailente village extorted 11,000 kyat from 2 girls, Cherry May Pan and Thein Sang. (Source: "Burmese Army Extort Money from Villagers," Rhododendron News, CHRO, January-February 2004)

 

On 16 January 2004, Sergeant Tin Soe and his troop seized a cow and 4 pigs from Ngo Bi and his friend Than Set. The Burmese soldiers threatened Ngo Bi and his friend that unless they paid 25,000 kyat they would not get their livestock back. Ngo Bi and his friend, Than Set, gave 25,000 kyat to the army.  (Source: "Burmese Army Extort Money from Villagers," Rhododendron News, CHRO, January-February 2004)

 

On 28 January 2004, 2nd Lieutenant Win Sein and his troops extorted 12,500 kyat from U Maung Shwe and Daw Ni Sung. U Maung Shwe and Daw Ni Sung were on their way to sell some pigs and goats when they were intercepted by 2nd Lieutenant Win Sein and his troops. When the Lieutenant and his troops threatened to beat them up, the 2 villagers gave the soldiers 2 goats and 12,500 kyat at the rate of 2,500 kyat per pig for 5 pigs. (Source: "The SPDC Soldiers Collect Illegal Tax from Chin Villagers," Rhododendron News, CHRO, March-April 2004)

 

On 31 January 2004, Pu He Thang of Tinam village in Matupi Township was accused of trying to sell 3 pigs in India without permission and badly beaten by 2nd Lieutenant Win Sein of LIB 268, camp commander of Lailenpi army camp. The Lieutenant extorted 6,000 kyat from Pu He Thang, charging him 2,000 kyat for each of the 3 pigs. (Source: "The SPDC Soldiers Collect Illegal Tax from Chin Villagers," Rhododendron News, CHRO, March-April 2004)

 

On 9 February 2004, Sergeant Kyaw Htun of SPDC LIB 55 badly beat Pu Kawng Rim from Lailenpi village and extorted 800,000 kyat from him. The incident occurred at Sau-U village in Paletwa Township, southern Chin State. (Source: "Human Rights Violations in Lailenpi Area as Reported by Mara People Party," Rhododendron News, CHRO, January-February 2004)

 

On 15 February 2004, Captain Win Sein, camp commander of Lailenpi army camp, seized 2 goats, a pig and 6,000 kyat from Maung Maung and his friends who are Aru villagers. (Source: "Human Rights Violations in Lailenpi Area as Reported by Mara People Party," Rhododendron News, CHRO, January-February 2004)

 

On 27 February 2004, Lieutenant Tin Soe, who is in charge of LIB 268, and his troop extorted 15,000 kyat from a group of 8 Thongbu villagers in Matupi Township while they were on their way to Mizoram State, India, to sell livestock. (Source: "Burmese Soldiers on Extortion Rampage," Rhododendron News, CHRO, March-April 2004)

 

On 1 March 2004, Lieutenant Tin Soe, who is in charge of LIB 268, and his troops extorted 5,000 kyat from Khai Lawng of Ruanvan village while he was on his way to Mizoram State, India, to sell livestock. (Source: "Burmese Soldiers on Extortion Rampage," Rhododendron News, CHRO, March-April 2004)

 

On 4 March 2004, Lieutenant Tin Soe, who is in charge of LIB 268, and his troops extorted 6,000 kyat and 2 chickens from Vua Chawng and Bi Khe of Aru village. The incident occurred when the 2 villagers were on their way to sell chickens and pigs in Mizoram State, India. (Source: "Burmese Soldiers on Extortion Rampage," Rhododendron News, CHRO, March-April 2004)

 

On 9 March 2004, Lieutenant Tin Soe, who is in charge of LIB 268, and his troops extorted 20,000 kyat from Lay Maung and Laise.  Lieutenant Tin Soe threatened to seize 7 buffalo if they refused to pay the money. (Source: "Burmese Soldiers on Extortion Rampage," Rhododendron News, CHRO, March-April 2004)

  

On 12 August 2004, 5 cattle traders from Kyikan Village in Kalay Myo Township, Sagaing Division, were arrested by police in Duhmang village in Falam Township, Chin State. The cattle traders were driving 26 cows to the Indian border through Chin State. The cattle traders were arrested on charges that it is illegal to trade cattle to another country without government permission.  The police demanded 150,000 kyat as a cross-border tax for their release. The cattle traders paid the demanded sum of money and continued on towards India.  They were again arrested by an SPDC patrol, led by 2nd Lieutenant Ko Khan, at Manipur river in Teddim Township. The soldiers demanded 100,000 kyat for their release and the release of the cattle, which the traders again paid. One of the traders complained to a CHRO field worker that, “We used to pay 1,000 - 1,500 kyat per cattle at the most in previous trips, but now the police and the soldiers have excessively and randomly demanded the so called cross border tax and we can’t make any profit at all.” The cattle traders are also required to pay a "village crossing" fee of 50 – 100 rupee per head of cattle to every village they pass through in Mizoram State, India. (Source: "The Tale of Cross Border Cattle Traders," Rhododendron News, CHRO, September-October 2004)

 

In the last week of August 2004, village headmen from Rezua Township (45 villages in total) were summoned to a meeting by U Kyaw Win Naing of Rezua Township PDC.  In the meeting, the village headmen were instructed that each house in their respective village was to possess and hang a poster of the SPDC Chairman General Than Shwe in their living room.  The village headmen were instructed on how to hang the poster neatly and properly and were also warned that those who damaged the poster would be properly punished.  The village headmen were required to buy between 50 – 100 posters, depending on the size of their village, at 200 kyat a poster. According to CHRO, the poster is not popular among village residents and the village headmen are having trouble selling the posters.  Every village headman is responsible for paying the full price of the posters by the end of September 2004.  (Source: "SPDC’s Chairman Gen. Than Shwe Poster a Must Buy in Chin State," Rhododendron News, CHRO, September-October 2004)

 

On 20 August 2004, SPDC soldiers led by Major Thein Sein of battalion 269 based at Darkhai army camp near Tonzang Town in Northern Chin State extorted money from cattle traders in Darkhai village.  Pa Maung and his friends were on their way to sell 24 cows in India when they met with the group of soldiers. The soldiers immediately arrested Pa Maung and his friends, stating that they would be released if they paid 200,000 kyat. Pa Maung and his friends eventually paid the demanded money. Pa Maung (age 36) and his family make their living trading across the border. (Source: "The Tale of Cross Border Cattle Traders," Rhododendron News, CHRO, September-October 2004)

 

5.6 Situation in Karen State

 

In January 2004, the Karen National Union (KNU) and the SPDC declared a verbal ceasefire. While the verbal ceasefire was meant to pave the way for a future formal ceasefire agreement, it failed to address issues such as territory assignment, the movement of troops or the numerous human rights abuses perpetrated by the Burmese military.  It has been widely reported by organizations such as the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), a Thailand based human rights organization, that the SPDC has used the period since the verbal ceasefire agreement was made to consolidate and expand its military presence within Karen State. This has resulted in excessive demands by both the Tatmadaw and their ceasefire partner, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), on the civilian population.  There have been extensive reports of demands for forced labor for military camp and road construction, restrictions on movement, land confiscation, extortion of money and demands for materials and food throughout Karen State during 2004. These abuses have severely affected villagers' food security and their ability to provide for both themselves and their families.

 

Note: Dooplaya, Pa-an, Papun and Thaton Districts, as reported below, are all areas demarcated by the KNU as Karen territory. Thaton District falls mostly in the SPDC demarcated area of Mon State, while the area to the east of the Donthami River lies within SPDC demarcated Karen State. Thaton District is under the patrol of the 1st Brigade of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Dooplaya District falls mostly in SPDC demarcated Karen State and partially in SPDC demarcated Mon State. Dooplaya District is under the patrol of the 6th Brigade of the KNLA. Papun and Pa-an Districts fall entirely in SPDC demarcated Karen State. Papun District is under the patrol of the 5th Brigade of the KNLA and Pa-an is under the patrol of the 7th Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize these as official districts. Instead, the SPDC considers there to be 3 districts (North to South: Kawkareik, Pa-an and Myawaddy) and 7 townships (North to South: Than Daung, Papun, Hlaing Bwe, Pa’an, Kawkareik, Myawaddy, and Kya In Seik Gyi) within Karen State. These townships do not correspond with the KNU demarcated districts, even for those that share the same name.

 

Dooplaya District

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 12 February 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Tin Maung Oo set fire to the forest in Mae Ku area without reason and as a result slash and burn paddy fields which had not been harvested were destroyed. Paddy fields of villagers from Htee Kyot Kay village in Kyain Seik Kyi Township were burnt and destroyed.  The following villagers lost crops:

  1. Saw Thant Wah;
  2. Pah Kay Lay;
  3. Saw Kho Bo;
  4. Pah Set;
  5. Pa Htwe Meh, 200 cashew trees;
  6. Pah Poe, 500 cashew nut trees;
  7. Pah Gaw Gaw, 100 cashew nut trees; and
  8. Saw Tha Say, sugar cane plantation.

Furthermore, the house of Mae Ku village head, Kyaw Myint (age 47), with 5 baskets of paddy, a basket of sticky rice, 15,000 kyat and household materials worth 250,000 kyat was burnt down. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 12 February 2004, Column 1 and 2 of SPDC LIB 548 led by Battalion Commander Tin Maung Oo, responsible for the construction of a motor road linking Kya Inn Seik Kyi and Three Pagodas Pass, looted from villagers in Htee Kyaw Kay village, Mae Ku area.  The following items were looted from the following villagers:

1.      Saw Pah Lay Lay, 3 chickens and 1 tin of rice;

2.      Saw Kho Bo, age 38, 3 chickens, 1 basket of rice and 3,000 kyat;

3.      Saw Pay Po, age 50, 5 chickens and 1 pyi of chili;

4.      Saw Dah Way, age 35, 3 chickens and 3,000 kyat;

5.      Saw Pa Hsee, age 43, 3 chickens and 3 baskets of rice;

6.      Saw Gaw Kay Lay, age 70, 3 chickens;

7.      Pah Dah Den, age 70, 2 ducks;

8.      Sa Pa Plo, age 43, 1 chicken and 3 pyi of rice;

9.      Saw Has Tu, age 34, 1 chicken;

10.  Saw Pah Gaw Khay, age 35, 5 milk tins of rice and 1 large packet of seasoning powder;

11.  Naing Kyaw Dah, age 50, 1 chicken;

12.  Saw Lay Heh, age 31, 1 chicken;

13.  Naw Koe Noe, age 48, 3 milk tins of rice;

14.  Saw Ma Kwee, age 33, 2 chickens and 1 pyi of rice;

15.  Naw Mu Naw, age 55, 1 chicken and 3 milk tins of rice;

16.  Saw Pay Paw, age 40, 1 pyi of rice;

17.  Saw Maw Aye Than, age 35, 1 pyi of rice and 2 pyi of chili;

18.  Saw Klay Tin, age 45, 5 milk tins of rice;

19.  Saw Tha Say, age 38, 1 chicken;

20.  Saw Eh Hser, age 28, 2 chickens;

21.  Saw Tha Weh, age 47, 35,000 kyat; and

22.  Saw Lah Htoo, age 35, 6 bottles of sesame oil and 3 ducks.

23.  The troops also burnt down the following villagers' farms and plantations:

24.  Saw The Wah, age 47, 1 plot of hill paddy field;

25.  Saw Pa Lay Lay, age 49, 1 plot of hill paddy field;

26.  Saw Kho Bo, age 38, 1 plot of hill paddy field;

27.  Saw Pa Hser, age 43, 1 plot of hill paddy field;

28.  Saw Pay Po, age 50, 1 plot of hill paddy field;

29.  Saw Maung Win, age 45, 1 plot of hill paddy field;

30.  Saw Pa Htwe Meh, age 48, 1 plot of hill paddy field and a mango plantation with 200 mango trees;

31.  Saw Pa Poe, age 43, 1 plot of hill paddy field and a mango plantation with 500 mango trees;

32.  Saw Pa Gaw Hkay, age 35, 1 plot of hill paddy field and a mango plantation with 100 mango trees; and

33.  Saw Tha Say, age 38, 1 banana plantation.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 13 February 2004 at 2:00 pm, troops from SPDC LIB 588 led by battalion second in command came to Neh Bye village in Ye Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Naw Has Paw, age 35, 12,000 kyat;
  2. Saw Leh Meh, age 45, 1 large packet of seasoning powder, 8 pyi of rice, 1 large tray and 1 torch light;
  3. Saw Po Cho, age 30, 3 chickens; and
  4. Naw May Koo, age 40, 2 viss of cooking oil, 2 small packets of seasoning powder and 1 machete.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 24 March 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Column 1 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Tin Maung Oo came to Htee Pa Doe village and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Dee Di, age 50, 4 milk tins of rice;
  2. Naw Noe Baw, age 50, 5 milk tins of rice;
  3. Sa Po Ya, age 43, 5 milk tins of rice;
  4. Ma Aye Than, age 17, 4 milk tins of rice;
  5. Saw Ler Po, age 60, 8 milk tins of rice and 1 chicken;
  6. Saw Wee Po, age 21, 1 chicken;
  7. Saw Yo Heh, age 72, 1 chicken;
  8. Saw Thay Kyay Loo, 1 chicken;
  9. Saw Aung Mya Htoo, age 38, 8 milk tins of rice and 1 chicken;
  10. Saw We Plo, age 43, 1 chicken;
  11. Saw Lah Baw Htoo, age 30, 1 chicken;
  12. Saw Lah Pwe, age 30, 1 chicken;
  13. Maung Thein Shwe, age 51, 1 chicken;
  14. Saw Maung Cha, age 41, 1 duck and 12 duck eggs;
  15. Saw Po Pwe, age 63, 8 milk tins of rice;
  16. Naw Noe, age 43, 1 chicken;
  17. Ma Thaung Tin, age 54, 1 chicken;
  18. Saw Maw Gyi, age 40, 1 chicken;
  19. Saw Dah Po, age 25, 1 chicken;
  20. Saw Lay Po, age 58, 1 chicken; and
  21. Saw Kah Kyaw, age 36, 10,000 kyat.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 26 March 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Column 2 Commander Major Aung Myat Thu came from Mae Tet Klet village to Paw Ler Moo village and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Hsa Ner Moo, age 30, 2 ducks;
  2. Naw Plat, age 36, 3 packets of coffee mix;
  3. Saw Kyu Doo, age 32, 2 chickens; and
  4. Saw Htwee Maw, age 39, 2 ducks.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 29 March 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 Column 2 led by Column 2 Commander Major Aung Myat Thu looted 2 ducks from Naw Pa Ee Thoo (female, age 72) of Htee Khaing village in Kya In Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 2 April 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 545 Column 1 led by Battalion Commander Tin Maung Oo came to New Shwe Poe Hut village in Kya In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. U Kyaw Yi, age 75, 1 chicken;
  2. Maung Win Shwe, age 35, 1 duck;
  3. U Hla Thein, age 50, 1 duck;
  4. U Than Maung, age 60, 1 duck;
  5. U Nyi Yae, age 35, 1 duck;
  6. U Than Lwin, age 64, 2 ducks;
  7. Maung Myint Aung, age 35, 1 duck; and
  8. Maung Hla Win Kyi, age 45, 1 duck.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 3 April 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 545 Column 1 led by Battalion Commander Tin Maung Oo came to Shwe Tha village and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Kaw Lah Mu, age 45, 2 tins of sprite soft drink, 1 towel and 3,200 kyat;
  2. Hsa Po Thaw, age 35, 1 chicken;
  3. Saw Pla Wah, age 46, 1 chicken;
  4. Saw Htoo Ko Lo, age 46, 1 chicken; and
  5. Maung Thu Kha, age 45, 1 chicken.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 4 April 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 545 Column 1 led by Battalion Commander Tin Maung Oo came to Ko Doo Kweh village in Kya In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Maung Pu, age 60, 5,000 kyat;
  2. Saw Kat See, age 60, 5,000 kyat;
  3. Ya Shin, age 45, 5,000 kyat;
  4. Ka Daik, age 35, 5,000 kyat;
  5. No Zi, age 36, 5,000 kyat;
  6. Cho Thi, age 35, 5,000 kyat;
  7. U Pan Nyunt, age 38, 1 chicken and 1 duck;
  8. San Ma Ray, age 35, 8 chickens;
  9. Naw Way Kyaw, age 50, 1 dog;
  10. Naw Ka Mu, age 25, 1 chicken; and
  11. Maung Ohn Myint, age 30, 1 chicken.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 4 April 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Banya came to Htee Po Than village in Kyone Doe Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Kyu Doo, 1 duck;
  2. Saw Kho Poe, 1 chicken;
  3. Saw Dah Da, 3 chickens and a pair of shoes;
  4. Saw Taw Tha Pa, 1 chicken;
  5. Saw Toe Naw Nor, 1 chicken;
  6. Ma Thaung Kyi, 2 chickens;
  7. Saw Maung Lwin, 2 chickens;
  8. Lu Pyo Gyi, 3 tins of rice;
  9. Naw Khu, 1 chicken;
  10. Naw Tway Say, 3 chickens; and
  11. Naw Koo Ku, 1 chicken.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 9 April 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Column Commander Thura Myo Tint came to Maw Pa Htaw Klo in Kya In Township and destroyed 90 baskets of paddy and 10 baskets of rice belonging to Saw Tha Daw (age 20). Moreover, these troops looted the following items from him:

  1. 2 pieces of underwear,
  2. 1 pair of jeans,
  3. 2 short-sleeve shirts,
  4. 3 long-sleeve shirts,
  5. 1 sweater and
  6. 1 muzzle loader gun.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 28 April 2004, troops from SPDC IB 230 led by Kyaw Lwin Oo came to Khu Done village in Kaw Ka Reik Township and looted 2,000 kyat from villager Ma Aye.  They also looted 1 chicken from villager Meh Klo and 4 chickens from a village monk. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 20 May 2004, SPDC IB 230 Operation 1 led by Lwin Shine came into Kaw Hser P' Nyae Pu village in Kaw Kerate Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Maung Hlat Yin, age 35, 3 chickens;
  2. Naw Kay Pway, age 50, 2 chickens;
  3. Naw Noe Kae, age 42, 3 chickens;
  4. Maung Tay, age 39, 1 chicken;
  5. Thout Kyar, age 45, 1 chicken;
  6. Naw Thaung Kin, age 50, 1 chicken and 11 eggs;
  7. Orr Lah Paw, age 36, 7 chickens and 1 bushel;
  8. U Tee Paw, age 37, 1 chicken and 10 eggs;
  9. Paw Kyaw Klaw, age 27, 1 chicken;
  10. Mg Tin La, age 40, 2 chickens; and
  11. Lah Pwae Paw, age 30, 1 chicken.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 21 May 2004, soldiers from SPDC IB 230 Operation 2 led by Nay Tun Oo looted the following items from  Kya Gyi (age 45), Mae K' Wor Kee village, and Naw Yu Aung (age 40), Noh Ta Mee Wor village in Kyo Doe Township:

  1. 12 chickens,
  2. 12 Karen traditional shirts,
  3. 2 ducks and
  4. 2 chickens.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 1 June 2004, SPDC IB 230 Operation 2 led by Kyaw Min Aung came to Dit Toe village in Kyo Doe Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Kyoung Than Ngae, 4 chickens;
  2. Aung P' Lae, 1 chicken; and
  3. Moo Lo Lae, 10 eggs, 1 kilo of fade meat, 1 packet of noodles and 1 kilogram of chilies.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 3 June 2004, SPDC IB 230 Operation 1 led by Ko Ko Soe came to Ky Doe village in Kaw Kerate Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Monastery, 1 chicken;
  2. Mun Net Thaung, 1 chicken;
  3. Naw Moo Ploe, 1 chicken;
  4. Mg Yaw Pae, 2 chickens;
  5. Mun A' Yin, 1 chicken;
  6. Mg Chit Lwin, 2 chickens; and
  7. A' Myint, 1 bottle of sprite.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 8 June 2004, SPDC LIB 549 Operation 1 led by Regiment Commander Thu Rat Myo Tint came to Tee Pa Taw village in Win Yin Township and slept there 1 night. In addition, the soldiers looted the following items from the following villages:

  1. Mu Naw Poe, age 40, 6 big packs of msg;
  2. U Tin Ngway,   age 50, 19 packets of coffee-mate;
  3. Tee Kort, age 23, 1 chicken;
  4. Ta K' Paw Moo, age 31, 5 chickens;
  5. Saw Di , age 25, 1 chicken; and
  6. Eh Kin, age 45, 2 chickens.

Moreover, the soldiers demanded Saw Kyaw Lu (age 37) find more chickens but he was unable to do so. As a result, the regiment commander slapped him 1 time. In the night time, 1 of the soldiers planned to sleep with a widow named Ma Tu Lu (age 37) who has 2 children. At mid-night, this soldier went into the house but the widow woke up and shouted. The soldier ran away. Later, 1 of the captains of the regiments visited the widow’s house to find out about the event. After the widow told him everything, the captain told her not to lie and that it was not his soldier. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 12 June 2004, SPDC IB 230 medic Aung Myo took 3 kilos of pork from Saw Kwa Lu (male, age 24) and Naw Hser Lah Moo (female, age 36) in Tee Gu Thaw village in Kyo Doe Township. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 19 June 2004, SPDC LIB 230 Operation 2 led by Commander Nay Tun Zaw, Second Commander Nyain Tun Zaw and Tee Ku Thaw infantry commander demanded that the villagers provide and deliver 2 video players. When the soldiers received the video players, they forced the owners to go back. They could not operate the video players by themselves and damaged them. The Nya Toe (age 27) and Klo Say Htoo (age 29) were the owners of the video players. Both owners live in Tee Gu Thaw village in Kyo Doe Township. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 2 July 2004, SPDC LIB 548 Operation 2 led by Commander Aung Mya Thu came to Paw Ner Moo village in Kya In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Bi Htoo, age 36, half kilo of onion, half kilo of chilies, 4 chickens and half tin of rice;
  2. Saw Tay Poe, age 64, 4 chickens;
  3. Saw Ma, age 45, 4 chickens, 1 tin of rice;
  4. Saw Kya Pu, age 65, 2 chickens, 3 big cans of rice;
  5. Saw P' Loe, age 28, 2 chickens, 2 big cans of rice;
  6. Saw Win, age 59, 9 chickens, 1 tin of rice, 1 long pair jeans, 1 kilo of chilies, and 1 pkt of msg;
  7. Saw A' Day, age 55, 1 chicken;
  8. Shae La Paw, age 35, 10 chickens, 6 big cans of rice;
  9. Pu Dazen, age 80, 4 chickens;
  10. Saw Ni Tha, 4 chickens, 1 tin of rice;
  11. Saw Day Bu, age 60, 2 big cans of rice;
  12. Saw Wah Doh, age 50, 12 small cans of rice;
  13. Naw Mu Ya Paw, age 40, 3 chickens;
  14. Naw Moo Ta Eh, age 30, 10 small cans of rice; and
  15. Naw Noe La Paw, age 60, 10 chickens.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 9 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 51 led by Battalion Second in Command Moe Than Oo looted a pair of earrings and a Casio wristwatch from villager, Naw Ohmmar (female) of Si Kyauk Kweh village in Win Yae Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 9 July 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Column 2 Commander Aung Myat Thu came to Paw Ner Moo village in Kya In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Bi Htoo, age 36, 30 kyat worth of onions, 25 kyat worth of chili, 4 chickens and 4 pyi of rice;
  2. Saw Htay Po, age 64, 4 chickens;
  3. Saw Mahn, age 45, 4 chickens and 1 tin of rice;
  4. Kya Pu, age 65, 2 chickens and 3 pyi of rice;
  5. Saw Ba Loe, age 28, 2 chickens and 2 pyi of rice;
  6. Saw Win, age 59, 9 chickens, one tin of rice, a pair of jean pants, 50 kyat weight of chili and 1 packet of msg;
  7. Saw Ah Day, age 55, 1 chicken;
  8. Seh Lar Paw, age 35, 10 chickens and 6 pyi of rice;
  9. Saw Wah Doe, age 50, 12 milk tins of rice;
  10. Naw Moo Rah Paw, age 40, 3 chickens;
  11. Naw Mu Ta Eh, age 30, 10 milk tins of rice; and
  12. Naw Noe Lar Paw, age 60, 10 chickens.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 15 July 2004 at 9:00 am, troops from SPDC LIB 549 Column 1 came to Mae Ta Ler village in Kaw Ka Reik Township. They used threats and looted the villagers’ livestock and vegetables. The following items were looted from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Hla Aye, 3 chicken worth 4,000 kyat;
  2. Saw Htun Kyaw, 1 rooster worth 2,000 kyat;
  3. Naw Nah Na, 1 chicken and 2 ducks worth 1,500 kyat;
  4. Naw Pa Na, 1 chicken and chicken eggs worth 1,500 kyat;
  5. Naw Ni Hser, 2 chickens worth 3,000 kyat; and
  6. Saw Htoo Say, 2 pigs worth 60,000 kyat and some vegetables.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 21 July 2004 at 12:00 pm, approximately 50 troops from SPDC IB 308 led by Column 2 Commander Soe Shwe came to Pa Pya village in Win Yae Township and looted dry cell batteries from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Win Aung, age 40, 8 boxes of large-size battery;
  2. Naw Chit Nu, age 22, 8 pairs of large-size battery;
  3. U Dan Pet, 5 boxes of large-size battery;
  4. U Khin Aye, age 36, 1 box and 6 pairs of small-size batteries;
  5. Naw Win Myint, age 29, 9 boxes of large-size batteries;
  6. U Aung Myint, age 50, 4 boxes of large-size batteries and 2 boxes of small-size batteries;
  7. Zaw Win Khaing, age 30, 7 large-size batteries; and
  8. Naw Mya Than, age 48, 3 boxes of large-size batteries.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 230 Column 2 came to Aung Chan Tha village, between Kya In and Kyone Doe Townships, and looted the following items from the following villages:

  1. Naw Htoo Lar Paw, age 60, 6 chickens;
  2. Saw Thoo Meh, age 62, 1 machete;
  3. Naw Hla Aye Moe, age 62, 2 chickens; and
  4. Naw Klo Moe, age 38, 2 chickens and 1 machete.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 1 August 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 547 led by Column 1 Commander Zaw Htun came to Htee Kyaw Kay village in Kay In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Naw Su Kha, age 40, 6 saws wood at the measurement of 5'' x 3'' x 18'; and
  2. Naw Ku Lay Beh, age 36, 12 saws wood at the measurement of 5'' x 3'' x 18'.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 17 August 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 Column 2 led by Naing Lwin Oo came to Ka Zat village in Kya In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Ye Shwe Htoo, age 75, 2 pyi of rice;
  2. Naw Mu Roe, age 58, 2 pyi of rice;
  3. Naw Ta Po Hka, age 38, 2 pyi of rice and 2 viss of beef;
  4. Naw Ther Eh Paw, age 42, 2 pyi of rice;
  5. Naw Htoo Pya, age 43, 2 baskets of paddy;
  6. Naw Mu Deh, age 25, 2 baskets of paddy and 6 milk tins of rice;
  7. U Shwe Yin, age 65, 2 baskets of paddy, 6 milk tins of rice and 5 chickens;
  8. Naw Hu Doe Htoo, age 20, 3 pyi of rice, one torch light and 1 pyi of chili;
  9. Naw Ko Lo, age 40, 12 pyi of rice and one chicken;
  10. Ba Ku Ku, age 20, 1 chicken;
  11. Naw Lu Paw, age 18, 2 chickens;
  12. Naw Eh Lay, age 60, 2 chickens, 2 pyi of rice and 1 tin of paddy;
  13. Naw Het Ta Let, age 65, 1 pyi of rice and 2 chickens;
  14. Saw Tha Win, age 35, 1 chicken; and
  15. Naw Bler Boo, age 70, 1 chicken.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 30 August 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Soe Min came to Tha Kho Khee village in Kya In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Hsa Gay Moo, age 30, 4,000 kyat and a radio set; and
  2. U Pa Hlaing, age 55, 4 chickens.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 17 September 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Column 1 Commander Min Soe came to Paw Ner Moo village in Kya In Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Ta Ka Dee, age 20, 2 chickens;
  2. Lah Doe Po, age 25, 1 chicken;
  3. Naw Aye Mya, age 40, 1 chicken and 5 milk tin of rice;
  4. Saw Ta Mla Lay, age 40, 2 chickens and 5 milk tins of rice;
  5. Saw Nay Moo, age 43, 2 chickens and 1 Pyi of rice;
  6. Naw Paw Htwe, age 43, 2 chickens;
  7. Saw Soe Lay, age 67, 2 chickens;
  8. Saw Ka Moe Htoo, age 32, 4 chickens;
  9. Saw Isaac, age 38, 1 chicken;
  10. Saw Klay Klo, age 50, 2 chickens;
  11. Saw Paw Yer Ya, age 24, 1 chicken;
  12. Saw Kaw Paw, age 25, 2 chickens and 1 duck; and
  13. Saw Kaw Peh, age 42, 2 chickens.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 20 September 2004, troops from SPDC IB 231 led by Major Hla Moe came to No Auk village in Kyone Doe Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Mahn Ta Loe, age 30, 1 chicken;
  2. Mahn Paw Tah, age 30, 1 chicken;
  3. Mahn Aung Myin, age 28, 1 duck; and
  4. Mahn Thaung Aye, 500 Kyat.

The SPDC troops also accused Mahn Thaung Aye of being a member of the KNU.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 21 September 2004 at 9:00 am, approximately 50 troops from SPDC IB 51 led by Battalion Commander Zaw Min under control of SPDC South Western Command Headquarters looted items from villagers in Win Ka Na village in Win Yae Township.  The following item were looted from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Po Bleh, age 19, 2 chickens;
  2. Naw Htoo Ka Mu, age 30, 2 hats;
  3. Naw Than Shwe, age 35, 1 chicken;
  4. Saw Dah Ler, age 29, 7 pumpkins and waxy gourd;
  5. Naw Htoo Lwee Paw, age 53, 4 chickens;
  6. Naw Ku Li Li, age 56, 4 chickens and 10 waxy gourd; and
  7. Naw Ka Ri, age 21, 3 chickens.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 15 February 2004, in Kyai In Sain Kyi Township the Land Surveying Department, led by Myo Aung, Sain Nyo Than and Myo Thu, came and surveyed the land and fields in Ta Ku Kee and Ta Ka Klo villages. They asked the villagers to pay 3,000 kyat per yard. Everyone had to pay the money at once. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 26 February 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 based at Htee Pa Khee camp went to steal villagers' chickens at Htee Po Wai village, which was 5 miles away from their camp. These troops demanded money from traders traveling between Three Pagoda Pass and Kya In Seik Kyi at the rate of 600 kyat for a bullock cart, 1,000 kyat for a motor cycle and 5,000 kyat for a truck. Moreover, they also extorted money from villagers collecting leaves for thatch at the rate of 200 - 500 kyat per bullock cart. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 4 March 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 Column 1 led by Battalion Commander Tin Maung Oo demanded 30 viss of pork from Kyone Ma Tee villagers and 10 viss of pork from Htee Say villagers. On that day, these troops demanded from Kyone Ma Tee village 4 logs of wood and 2 carts of bamboo for constructing building. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 26 March 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 548 led by Column 1 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Tin Maung Oo arrested villager Saw Po Seet (age 25) of Old Shwe Poe Hat village and Saw Po Heh (age 30) of Htee Po Way village at Shwe Tha (Pa Lay Taik) and demanded that the villagers pay 10,000 kyat and 40,000 kyat respectively for their release. Moreover, these troops extorted 50,000 kyat from the village head of Ko Du Kweh village. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 30 March 2004, troops from DKBA 999 demanded villages in Kaw Ka Riek Township to each pay 20,000 kyat to construct a motor road from Kaw Ka Reik to Kaw Ka Reik Ta Daing. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 17 April 2004 at 5:00 pm, SPDC LIB 588 Sergeant Bo Yin Shway entered Ro Poe Kay village in Win Yin Township and accused Saw La Kyi (age 47) of having contact with the KNU and fined him 3,000 kyat and half a kilo of chicken. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 10 May 2004, SPDC LIB 548 led by Maung Oo saw 9 youngsters, frightened them, and demanded money from each of them in Shway Poe Ha (Ywar Thit) village in Kya In Township. The following youngsters paid the listed amounts of money to the soldiers:

  1. Naw Mu Yar Paw, from Doe Pi village, 9,000 kyat;
  2. Saw Eh Kaw, Du Lae village, 8,000 kyat;
  3. Naw Nun Way, Du Lae village, 6,000 kyat;
  4. Nun Kyi Thaing, Kyort B'lue village, 2,000 kyat;
  5. Nun Thee Da Thaing, Kyort B'lue village, 2,000 kyat;
  6. Saw Kyaw Aye, A' Nae Nee village, 2,000 kyat;
  7. Naw Paw Pa, Nay Sot village , 2,000 kyat;
  8. Saw Eh Shee, Wah Thae Pue village, 2,000 kyat; and
  9. Saw Aung Zaw Win, Wat Pay Thwaet village, 1,000 kyat.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

From 18 June 2004, SPDC LIB 549 Operation 1 led by Regiment Commander Thu Ra Myo Tint demanded that all boats passing through Z' Mit river pay 3,000 - 7,000 kyat. The villagers subject to this tax were from Shway Poe Hart (Wyar Thit) village in Kya In Township. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 15 July 2004, the SPDC Land Survey Department of Kya In and Seik Kyi Township led by Myo Aung, which also consisted of Sein Nyo Than and Myo Thu, came and conducted a land survey at Ta Ku Khee and Ta Khat Klo villages in Kya In Township and demanded 3,000 kyat per acre from the villagers. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 15 July 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 549 led by Column 2 Commander Thein Zaw seized 37 cattle from cattle trader Maung Tin Hlaing (age 40) from Kyaik Ma Raw village at Lay Wah Kha village and demanded 500,000 kyat for their release. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 25 July 2004, passengers who passed through the SPDC checkpoint at Kyar In Seik Kyi, Karen State, were forced to buy drinking water at 90 kyat a bottle, more than 3 times the normal price.  The SPDC checkpoint in the town sells bottled of water to passengers who are heading to the border town and who are believed to be economic migrants entering Thailand. (Source: "Money Thirsty Checkpoints," Kao Wao News No. 72, 25 July 2004.)

 

On 31 August 2004, Kaw Ka Reik Township Chairman U Htun Wai ordered farmers in Ye Gyaw village tract in Kaw Ka Reik Township to buy urea fertilizer from the village tract Chairman U Ba Aung. The villagers were forced to buy 9 bags of Thai made urea, at a cost of 8,800 kyat a bag, and 560 bags of Shwe-myitta fertilizer, at a cost of 760 kyat a bag. The villages and the amount that villagers were forced to buy were:

  1. Ta Maing Gon village, 1 bag of urea and 96 bags of Shwe-myitta fertilizer, at a total cost of 81,760 kyat;
  2. Ywa Thit village, 1 bag of urea and 53 bags of Shwe-myitta fertilizer, at a total cost of 49,080 kyat;
  3. Ye Gyaw Gyi village, 2 bags of urea and 111 bags of Shwe-myitta fertilizer, at a total cost of 101,760 kyat;
  4. Ye Gyaw Lay village, 2 bags of urea fertilizer and 110 bags of Shwe-myitta fertilizer, at a total cost of  101,090 kyat;
  5. Hlaing Wah village, 2 bags of urea and 130 bags of Shwe-myitta fertilizer, at a total cost of 116,400 kyat; and
  6. Ta Dan Kyo village, 1 bags of urea and 60 bags of Shwe-myitta fertilizer, at a total cost of 54,400 kyat.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 2 September 2004, U Ba Aung chairman of Ye Gyaw village tract in Kaw Ka Reik Township forcibly collected 30,000 kyat from sections of the village track for a football team. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 8 September 2004, Camp Commander Ye Naing Htun, in the rank of company second in command, based at the camp of Ta Maing Gon village in Kaw Ka Reik Township from SPDC IB 231 under SPDC No. 12 Military Operation Command Headquarters demanded that each section of the 3 sections of Ta Maing Gon village provide 2 pyi of rice, 5 coconuts and ˝ viss of fish paste. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Situation in Pa-an District

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 20 May 2004, frontline Operation Commander Win Myint of SPDC LIB 549 under local Military Operation Command Headquarters 12 demanded 1 piglet, 1 goat and some rice bran for livestock breeding from each village of Ta Nay Cha (Na Boo) Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

In late May 2004, DKBA Battalion 3 Commander Pu Ta Kler gave orders to his company commander Bo Tha Tu to catch 100 cows in Tow Kaw Koe field belonging to the villagers. Bo Tha Tu also caught 40 cows belonging to villagers at Tee Poe Train village. After stealing these cows, Bo Tha Tu sold them in Thailand. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 14 June 2004, troops from brigade security unit DKBA 999 led by Saw Paw-peh killed a goat worth 15,000 kyat for food in Pa Yar Gyi village. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 15 June 2004, Saw Hta Htu, Saw Pel-lei and Saw Du from DKBA 999 Column 3 looted 90 cows and 6 buffaloes worth over 300,000 kyat from cattle merchants in Don Yin village tract. The following livestock from the following villagers was looted:

  1. Saw Hta-may, Naung Lone village, 6 cows;
  2. Saw K' Lar Na, Naung Lone village, 10 cows;
  3. Aung Naing Oo, Pa Kar village, 4 cows;
  4. Aung Thein, Pa Kar village, 4 cows;
  5. Aung Win, Kaw Kyaik village, 4 cows;
  6. Ka Toe Hta villager,10 cows;
  7. Htay Win, Pa Kar village, 4 cows;
  8. Saw A'dee, Naung Lone village, 6 buffaloes;
  9. Saw Hta Htar, Naung Lone village, 8 cows;
  10. Aung Htun, Pa Kar village, 8 cows;
  11. Hsa Hta-yar, Naung Lone village, 6 cows; and
  12. Li-sa-hkee, Naung Lone village, 8 cows.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 June 2004, 2 SPDC battalions from LID 77, LIB 6, led by Second Battalion Commander Myo Tun passed through Lah Kwae village on their way to Toe Kaw Koe village. In Lah Kwae, they shot at KNU soldiers.  The KNU soldiers reportedly did not shoot back and tried to run away because during this time a recent ceasefire agreement had been made. During this attack, 1 KNU soldier was killed and another wounded. Also 1 villager was killed and another wounded.  The wounded villager was Maung Naing Oo, son of Saw A' Way, a local shop owner. All the people in the area ran away and the SPDC soldiers looted all the things in 2 shops.  The 2 shops were owned by Saw A' Way and Chaw Dee Klee Moe. The soldiers slept in the village one night and the next morning they left and proceeded to Toe Kaw Koe village. The following items were looted from Saw A'Way's shop by Major Bo Mu Myint Lwin and military doctor Min Naing Oo to a total value of over 100,000 kyat:

  1. 3 shirts,
  2. 2 hindi,
  3. 1 chopper,
  4. 1 knife,
  5. 1 tin rice,
  6. 11/2 kilo salt,
  7. 1 kilo preserved fish / shrimp paste and
  8. 70,000 kyat.

The following items were looted from Chaw Dee Klee Moe's shop by Major Bo Mu Myint Lwin and military doctor Min Naing Oo:

  1. 1 bottle of oil,
  2. 2 hindi,
  3. 1 chopper,
  4. 1 goat,
  5. 1 tin rice,
  6. 11/2 kilo salt,
  7. 3 kilo preserved fish/shrimp paste,
  8. 20,000 kyat and
  9. 1,000 bhat.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 6 August 2004, Saw Mon Daing of the DKBA extorted 5 viss of pork from Htee Po Net village and 10 viss of pork from Baw Ta Pru village in Pa-an Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 3 September 2004, troops from DKBA 999 led by Saw Win Myint confiscated cattle from cattle traders at Ler Wah Suy Day.  A total of 79 head of cattle were siezed with a total value of 20.5 million kyat.  The following cattle were confiscated from the following villagers:

  1. Pa Naw Pi, Ka Mah Hta village, 30 cattle worth 8 million kyat;
  2. Saw Ku Say, Tarit Po Kwee village, 30 cattle worth 8 million kyat;
  3. Maung Kyaw Yin, Kyaw Ta Lay Kho village, 9 cattle worth 2 million kyat; and
  4. Pa Yay Heh, Htee Tha Blu Hta village, 10 cattle worth 2.5 million kyat.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 September 2004, DKBA 999 led by Saw Dur Kaw looted 4 tins of rice and children's school notebooks from Toe Kae, a villager from U Pu Toe village in Lu Plae Township. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 3 February 2004, Maung Lue Kyi of DKBA 999 extorted 25,000 kyat from a trader named Saw Maung Yoe. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 9 February 2004, troops from DKBA 555 led by Saw Pah Eh Htoo extorted money from villages in Htee Pa Reh village tract.  The following amounts were extorted from the following villages:

  1. Khaw Thoo Khee village, 7,500 kyat;
  2. Htee Moe Khee village, 7,500 kyat;
  3. Htee Pa Reh village 7,500 kyat; and
  4. Wah Mi Kla village, 7,500 kyat.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 5 March 2004, Pah Nya of the DKBA demanded from Pwa Gaw village 4 tons of sawed wood. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 25 March 2004, Than Htun and Sai Pu of the DKBA came to Pwa Gaw village in Pa-an Township and demanded 10 bullock carts to haul logs to Mae Ka Na saw mill. As the villagers could not provide the demanded bullock carts, the DKBA troops arrested and tied up the village head of Pwa Gaw village, Pa Din, and fired 30 rounds of an M-16, 1 magazine of a pistol and 1 round of a M-79 Granada launcher to threaten him. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 14 April 2004, frontline Battalion Commander Htay Aung of SPDC LIB 549 under SPDC No.12 Military Operation Command forcibly collected money from villagers in Da Nay Cha Township to buy a computer for Ta Nay Cha village school. The army collected 4,200,000 kyat from villages in Ta Nay Cha Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 18 April 2004, troops from DKBA 555 led by Kyaw Pa Khin and Min Than robbed cattle owner Saw Pa Li of Ta Ngaw village at Tha Blay Ler Hta of 120,000 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 20 May 2004, SPDC soldiers from LID 77, LIB 391, led by Commander Myo Min and Sergeant Tun Tha raided Sgaw Koe village in Tay Nay Sar Township in the morning. They asked the village leader to find them a pig. When the village leader replied that he could not find it, Battalion Commander Myo Min threatened him. He was very afraid so he collected the money from the villagers to pay for a pig which cost 35,000 kyat. (BI, 2004)

 

On 1 June 2004, troops from the DKBA Special Battalion 999 led by Pah Du Kot accused the head of Hta Kler village of having contact with the KNU and fined him a pig worth 30,000 kyat and a goat worth 15,000. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 20 June 2004, Lieutenant San Myint of LIB 549 under SPDC local Operation Command 12 demanded by order from every village in Na Bu Township a pig, a goat and some hog feed for breeding at the military camp. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

In late June 2004, DKBA Battalion 3 Commander Pu Ta Kler based in Ta Nay Sar village ordered each house in the village to bring 1 bamboo pole and 1 length of wood to the DKBA infantry to repair their fence. (Source: BI 2004)

 

On 8 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 24 and DKBA 999 led by Saw Min Than seized 4 cows and a buffalo from Saw San Aung of Hlaing Bwe village and Kyaw Htoo of Noe Pa Doe village.  They were ordered to pay a ransom of 200,000 kyat for the livestock. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

In July 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 549 demanded 250,000 kyat from each village in Na Boo Township in order to buy a computer for the school in Na Boo.  Similarly, Tee Mu Hkar of the DKBA demanded 30,000 kyat from villagers to construct a monastery in Na Boo village. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 20 July 2004, troops from DKBA 999 battalion 2 and battalion 3 led by Saw Pan Wah demanded that villagers logging in Htee Set Ker village pay a fine.  The following villagers were required to pay the following amounts:

  1. Saw Leh Say Thay, 100,000 kyat;
  2. Naw Htoo Paw Say, 60,000 kyat; and
  3. Saw Pee Tu, 60,000 kyat.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 29 August 2004, Pa Thay Gay and Pa Kaw Paw of DKBA 555 seized 12 cattle from cattle traders at Htee Tha Lu Hhta village and demanded 120,000 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 1 September 2004, troops from DKBA 999 led by Kyaw Mying camped at Tha Blu Hta and extorted 4,000 kyat per person from 12 villages of Tarit Po Kwee village tract. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 1 September 2004, DKBA soldiers at different DKBA gates in La Pah village in Lu Plae Township demanded different taxes for 36 cows. At gate 1, DKBA Saw Poe Klay demanded 54,000 kyat. At gate 2, DKBA Company Commander Saw Win Pan demanded 288,000 kyat. At gate 3, DKBA San Yue demanded 80,000 kyat. At gate 4, San Yue again demanded 800,000 kyat. The cattle owners were Tee Noe, Mg Aye Mya and Saw Thaing Sit. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 2 September 2004, DKBA soldiers lead by Kyaw Win Myai from the DKBA camp at Mae Tha Moo Ta arrested 4 livestock traders with 82 cows and fined them different amounts when they arrived to Ler Wah Kyin Day village. The following traders were fined the following amounts:

  1. Pa Naw Pet, Taray Poe Kwee village, 30 cows, fined 200,000 kyat;
  2. Saw Dee Poe, Kray Hta village, 9 cows, fined 112,500 kyat;
  3. Mg Kyaw Yin, Kyaw Ta Lady village, 8 cows, fined 100,000 kyat; and
  4. Saw Ku Say, Taray Poe Kwee village, 35 cows, fined 500,000 kyat.

The traders were sent to DKBA headquarters but Mg Kyaw Yin escaped at Klaw K' Tay village. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 8 September 2004, troops from DKBA 999 led by Pu Ter clashed with KNLA 7 brigade troops at Hey Taw Htaw Kyo where DKBA troops lost 1 .30 carbine. For this reason the DKBA troops demanded 200,000 kyat from villagers in Plaw Nya Khee village tract for their lost weapon. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 9 September 2004, DKBA soldier Kaw Plaw and his friends stopped 2 cattle owners when they arrived at Mae The Moo village in Lu Plae Township at 5:00 am.  The soldiers fined the cattle owners 500,000 kyat before they release them. The 2 cattle owners were Saw Po from Pa Wa, who had 14 cows, and Mg Aye Sain from Pa Wa, who had 18 cows and buffaloes. (Source: BI, 2004)

  

On 19 September 2004, DKBA 999 Battalion 3, Battalion 2 Commander Tha Toe, cooperating with SPDC 77 fighting force unit Column 2, led by Lieutenant Commander Major Kyaw Myit, entered Kwee Maw Tae village, Noh Kay village tract, Ta Na Cha Township, and zapped the chief of the village tract, Pu Ta Thu (age 58). The soldiers fined the chief village tract assistant, Saw Ko Ya (male, age 40) 80,000 kyat and 25 viss of pork. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 21 September 2004, SPDC IB 24 and DKBA leader Min Than set up 2 checkpoints in Kae Koo and Klate Poe Kloe areas at 1:00 pm. The soldiers then arrested 2 cattle traders with 18 cows and fined them 200,000 kyat. The 2 cattle traders were San Aung from Lai Boi village and Kyaw Htoo from No Nae village. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

Situation in Papun District

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 16 February 2004, SPDC troops led by Bo Tin Htun looted 6 chickens, 2 viss of dried green tea and 2 viss of sesame oil from villagers of Mae Khu Hta village in Dwe Lo Township. Moreover, on 17 February 2004 at 7:30 am, these troops left Mae Khu Hta village and demanded 5 villagers to carry military supplies for them. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 9 March 2004, troops from SPDC IB 27 Column 2 came to Thwa Hta village in Dwe Lo Township and demanded 2 tins of rice, some fish paste and 10 chickens from villagers. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 10 March 2004, Bo Aung Kyaw Pwint of SPDC IB 27 extorted the following items from the following villages in Dwe Lo Township:

  1. Mae Ku Khe village, 7 chickens, 4 milk tin of rice, 5 coconuts and 1 machete; and
  2. Kler Si Kho village, 5 tins and 4 pyi of rice, 6 viss of salt, 2 viss of chili, 6 pyi of sticky rice, 3 machetes, 17 chickens, 1 mosquito net and 1 pot.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 11 March 2004, troops from SPDC IB 27 Column 2 came to Tha Per Pah village and extorted from villagers 8 chickens and 47 milk tins of rice. They then traveled to Kler Si Kho village and extorted from villagers 20 chickens, 10 pyi of rice, 1 pair of shoes and 1 cat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 14 January 2004 at 9:00 am, SPDC troops shot and killed 3 buffalo belonging to Saw Klo Po Heh (age 19) from Kleh Lor village.  The buffalo were worth 29,000.  They also took from him 3,000 baht and 50,000 kyat. These troops then arrested Saw Klo Po Heh and later shot and killed him. On 15 January 2004 at 3:00 pm, these troops also shot at 30 villagers who were on their way back from shopping.  The troops shot at them between Kho Lay village and Thway Doe village. Fifteen villagers returned safely and the other 15 are missing to this day. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 15 February 2004, Battalion Commander Kyaw Khin Win of SPDC LIB 374 based at Khu Thu Hta ordered villages in the Kho Thu Hta area in Dwe Lo Township to provide pieces of thatch for the construction of the army camp.  The villagers were also forced to work at the site. The following pieces of thatch were demanded from the following villages:

  1. Khor Htee Kho village, 300 pieces of thatch;
  2. Htee Nah Day village, 220 pieces of thatch;
  3. Po Lo Hta, 500 pieces of thatch;
  4. Wah We Day village, 200 pieces of thatch; and
  5. Mae Ta Ru Khee village, 300 pieces of thatch.

 (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 17 February 2004, Battalion Second in Command Kyaw Zan of SPDC LIB 374 called a meeting of villages in Kho Thu Hta and Lay Khaw Hti village tracts at Kho
Thu Hta village in Dwe Lo Township. In the meeting, he ordered the heads of the villages in Kho Thu Hta village to reconstruct 2 warehouses used for stockpiling rations and to construct a new army camp fence for camp security. Later, he ordered villages in Ma Lay Ler village tract to provide thatch.  The thatch was to be sent to Kho Thu Hta village by 2 March 2004.  The following villages were order to provide the following pieces of thatch:

  1. Deh Hta village, 400 pieces of thatch;
  2. Hser Ri Kyo village 250 pieces;
  3. Htee Baw Lor village, 350 pieces of thatch;
  4. Pa New Lor village, 140 pieces of thatch;
  5. Naw We Hta village, 150 pieces of thatch; and
  6. Lay Khaw Hti village, 170 pieces of thatch.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 20 February 2004, SPDC troops led by Column Commander Aung Kyaw Pwint came to Mae Ku Hta village in Dwe Lo Township and demanded nearby villages provide 200 pieces of thatch each. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Land Confiscation

 

On 16 March 2004, Commander of Operation Command 1 of the SPDC South Western Command Headquarters confiscated 30 acres of lands from 6 villagers of Mae Throe village in Papun Township to construct an army base and set up flags on this plots of land. The villagers wanted to be anonymous because they were afraid of the SPDC troops. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

5.7     Situation in Karenni State

 

Throughout 2004, troops from the Tatmadaw as well as the SPDC backed Karenni National Peoples' Liberation Front (KNPLF) continued to loot, steal, destroy, and extort money, livestock, and other goods and supplies from the villagers of Karenni State.  Extortion demands were often accompanied with unfounded accusations that villagers were supporting rebel Karenni forces. The demands for money, rice and livestock caused the already impoverished population increased hardship. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 1 January 2004, SPDC troops from LIB 567, under the command of LID 55 led by Khin Maung Latt, came to Deileh village. The Burmese troops searched house by house and took 1 silver sword and 3 blankets from Thay Reh's house. (Source: KNAHR, 2004).


On 13 January 2004, about 100 SPDC troops from LIB 567, under the command of Thein Shwe, came to Kelya village in Pruso Township and took 4 chickens and 1 pig from the village. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

On 23 January 2004 at 4:00 pm, about 150 SPDC troops from LIB 509, under the command of Division 55 led by Myint Oo, entered Kapwedoh village in No. 2 Township, west of Mawchi. The troops looted rice, chickens and pigs from the village and then threatened the villagers so that they would not report the incident to the authorities. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)


On 27 February 2004 at 10:00 am, Saw Phlo Htoo led his local militia group to Phlo Htee village. The troops then accused villagers of having contact with the Karenni forces without giving a reason for this accusation or providing any evidence. They then searched the village house by house and took some domestic property, chickens and pigs from the village. A villager named Naw Leimu was hit by a soldier with his gun butt. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)


On 9 April 2004, a column of Burmese military units from LIB 422 came to Bulawper village, west of Mawchi, and forced family members to come out from their houses and searched each house. Property owned by the villagers such as paddies, rice, salt and chili were destroyed by the Burmese troops. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

In 2004, it was reported that local Burmese military and the Karenni Nationalities People Liberation Front (KNPLF) charged villagers living in Daw Rawkhu area an annual tax for their opium production.  This was reported by Gopher, a trader from Daw Rawkhu, during his recent business trip to the border. Gopher stated that: "Last year, I was asked to pay a tax of 500,000 kyat by the Deemaw Soe based SPDC IB 102 commander and 300,000 kyat by the KNPLF (SPDC backed ceasefire group) for my opium cultivation." In addition, it was reported that all opium cultivators were ordered to sell their entire opium crop to the KNPLF at the price of 130,000 - 150,000 kyat for one viss (1.65 kg). There were about 400 acres of opium planted in the Daw Rawkhu area in the 2003 cultivation season. This produced 2,500 - 3,000 viss of opium.  (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

On 21 February 2004, Ye Soe, the commander of a Pruso-based KNPLF contingent, forced Pukrakhu village and Dohpreh village cluster to pay 5 chickens and 10,000 kyat in cash for their failure to send someone to act as a messenger, as demanded by the KNPLF. Ye Soe once again demanded another 20,000 kyat on 16 March 2004 from Pukrakhu village for the same reason and threatened to set fire to the village if they failed to send a messenger in the future. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

On 16 March 2004, Ye Soe, commander of Pruso-based KNPLF contingent, ordered the Pukrakhu village Secretary, Soe Reh, to report to his Pruso base. As soon as he arrived at the Pruso base Commander Ye Soe accused him of having connections with the Karenni Army and put him in a prison cell from 12:00 am to 3:00 pm on that day. Ye Soe released him at 3:00 pm and demanded 20,000 kyat from him as a fine. He was also told by Ye Soe that he must come to Pruso KNPLF base on 21 March 2004 with 15 roosters or the village would be set on fire. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

On 28 March 2004, Ye Soe, commander of Pruso-based KNPLF contingent, demanded that Lyadu village, Dohpreh village cluster, Pruso Township, give 8.25 kg of chicken and 20,000 kyat for having failed to send someone to act as a messenger at his base for 1 day. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

On 1 and 2 May 2004, SPDC troops from IB 54 and 102, with the help of local militia led by Sae Reh, came to Daw Takleh, Daw Tanaw and Nguthweleh villages in the Kaylya area. The Burmese troops demanded those villages provide them with bamboo to re-establish their military camp at Hteepokloe. Villagers from these villages transported bamboo with 34 bullock carts on 2 May to Hteepokloe without delay, as the army demanded. In addition, the Burmese troops ordered them to provide 3,000 sheets of thatch to roof the military barracks by 6 May at the latest. Villagers were threatened with a fine should they fail to send the demanded thatch on the fixed date. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)

 

On 15 August 2004, a group of troops from the SPDC backed ceasefire armed group KNPLF, led by Nay Reh and Kwar Reh, came to Shadaw relocation camp and fined the families for not having reported to them about the Karenni forces movement in the area. Actually, none of the families had knowledge about the KA troop movement as alleged by the KNPLF.  The following accused families were fined the following amount:

  1. Poe Reh's family was fined 10,000 kyat;
  2. Sae Reh and Mei Mehi's family were fined 10,000 kyat;
  3. Dah Reh and Pray Meh's family were fined 10,000 kyat;
  4. Dah Reh and Mei Meh's family were fined 10,000 kyat;
  5. Su Reh and Mei Meh's family were fined 10,000 kyat; and
  6. Plae Reh and Ei Paw's family were fined 10,000 kyat.

Furthermore, they were threatened with a 30,000 kyat fine if they failed to report KA troop movement in the future. (Source: KNAHR, 2004)


5.8 Situation in Mon State

 

Human rights abuses such as land confiscation, excessive taxation, forced labor and restrictions on movement contributed to the deprivation of livelihood of villagers in Mon State throughout 2004. Between December 2003 and June 2004, the SPDC military launched offensives in southern Ye Township against the Monland Restoration Army (MRA).  As part of counter insurgency operations in the area the military severely restricted movement outside of villagers. The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) reported that as of late August 2004 some villagers in Ye Township were ordered not to go to work on their paddy farms and orchid plantations (source: "Gross Human Rights Violations in Ye Township, Southern Part of Mon State," The Mon Forum, 30 September 2004). The Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) also reported that travel restrictions to areas outside village boundaries severely limited villages access to their farms and that this, together with taxation and demands for forced labor, had made existence in some Mon villages untenable (source: Six-Monthly Report, TBBC, July – December 2004).

 

Land confiscation, extortion and looting by both the Tatmadaw and the DKBA also severely affected villagers' ability to provide for themselves during the year. The HURFOM reported that in January 2004 villages in Thanbyuzayat Township were ordered to provide 280 tons of wood for the construction of a new artillery regiment.  Villagers were ordered to provide the wood from their own plantations or to pay for the required amount of wood on the open market, at the cost of 200,000 kyat per ton (source: "Logging, Gas Pipeline and Impacts to the Mon People," The Mon Forum, 30 June 2004). In June 2004, it was reported that the SPDC confiscated over 800 acres of farmlands in southern Ye Township.  The farms, which included rubber, betel nut, durian and lime plantations, were owned by subsistence farmers and no compensation for the confiscated land was provided (source: "The Junta's Way of Sustainable Development," Kao Wao News No. 70, 22 June 2004). There were also reports throughout the year that DKBA forces not only cut virgin forests but also entered villagers' farms and plantations and cut down trees to meet their own business objectives (source: "Logging, Gas Pipeline and Impacts to the Mon People," The Mon Forum, 30 June 2004). In all instances, villagers were not provided with any compensation for the lands, labor and wood taken from them, thus creating obstacles for farmers to meet their basic subsistence needs.

 

Bilin Township

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 22 September 2004, Second Lieutenant Htun Htun Oo and his troops, under the control of Mae Prae Khee Camp Commander Kyaw Naing Lwin of SPDC LIB 375, came to Ka Ser Po village and looted machetes from villagers and ordered his soldiers to cut rattan cane. The troops were divided into 2 groups to cut rattan cane and in each group a villager had to guide them every day to show them where the cane was. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 8 January 2004, Camp Commander Bo Ohn Naw Din of SPDC IB 80 based at Yo Kla demanded from Ta Eu Khee village 1,500 poles of bamboo, which were to be sent to Yo Kla camp. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 12 January 2004, Than Htun of the DKBA demanded thatch from villages in Bilin Township. If the villagers could not provide the thatch they were required to pay cash. The following villages and pieces of thatch demanded were:

  1. Pa Ya Raw village, 2,000 pieces worth 80,000 kyat;
  2. Ta Eu Ni village, 1,000 pieces worth 40,000 kyat;
  3. Ta Eu Khee village, 4,000 pieces worth 160,000 kyat;
  4. Paw Khee village, 1,000 pieces worth 40,000 kyat; and
  5. Nya Po Khee village, 500 pieces worth 20,000 kyat.

 (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 7 April 2004, Battalion Commander Tin Maung Win of SPDC IB 96 demanded from Waw Ka Ter village in Bilin Township 20 pieces of 4 inch x 2 inch timber. He told the villagers that they had to pay 20,000 kyat if they failed to meet the demand. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 16 April 2004, Township Peace and Development Committee chairman Htun Oo of Bilin Township summoned the village heads of Kho Tha Nya village, Ka Di Pu village, Shwe Yaung Pya village and Ya village to come and see him. He ordered them to tell their villagers to cut wood and bamboo for construction of a motor road from Mi Chaung Aing to Kho Tha Nay. He told the villagers to sell the bamboo and wood they cut if they could not transport it and to buy bricks and cement in place of them. He threatened the villagers with punishment if they did not obey. On that day, Bo Tin Myint of SPDC LIB 3 demanded the following items from the following villages:

  1. Mi Chaung Aing village, 30 bamboo poles and 300 pieces of split bamboo;
  2. Ma Yan Gon village, 30 bamboo poles and 300 pieces of split bamboo; and
  3. Shwe Yaung Pya village, 30 bamboo poles and 300 pieces of split bamboo.

Moreover, the SPDC troops ordered each household to send a person to build roofs for the buildings at Thi Ho camp every day. In addition, the SPDC troops ordered Lah Au Hker villagers to take responsibility for building roofs for the buildings at Ah Leh Sa Karn camp immediately. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 6 September 2004, Major Myat Soe of SPDC LIB 9 demanded wood from the following villages to be bought to Htee Nya Paw by the end of Wa Gaung month (mid September):

  1. Mi Chaung Aaing village, 50 logs of wood 18 feet in length and 5 feet in girth and 50 logs of wood at 12 feet in length and 50 feet in girth; and
  2. Mayan Gon village, 50 logs of wood 18 feet in length and 5 feet in girth and 50 logs of wood 12 feet in length and 5 feet in girth.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 17 September 2004, Battalion Commander Zaw Zaw Min of SPDC IB 35 based at Win Maung camp demanded from villagers of Pa Ta Ta village in Bilin Township the following items:

  1. 170 poles of small bamboo,
  2. 80 poles of giant bamboo and
  3. 50 pieces of palm leaf thatch.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 21 September 2004, Mae Prae Khee Camp Commander Kyaw Naing Lwin of SPDC LIB 375 ordered villagers from Zee Gon village in Bilin Township to build a roof for their video theatre. Because the villagers did not go, he demanded 1 chicken and two pyi of rice from each household as a fine. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Kyaik Hto Township

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 1 May 2004, Sergeant Kya Aung of SPDC LIB 10 demanded 5,000 kyat as a monthly tax from tractors owners of Ka Reh Pu village in Kyaik Hto Township for each tractor.  The following tractor owners were affected:

  1. Saw Peh Hlaw,
  2. Daw Peh,
  3. Khin San Win,
  4. Po Zaw and
  5. Ta Yoke Gyi. 

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 14 May 2004, about 20 troops from DKBA Brigade 333 led by Battalion Second in Command Saw Bi based at the old Paw Dah Lor village, Waw Kay (Win Khan) village tract, Kyaik Hto Township, demanded 5,000 kyat as a monthly tax for making charcoal from each of the following Waw Kay villagers:

  1. Daw Kyi,
  2. Win Naing,
  3. Po Toe Gyi,
  4. Nwe Aung,
  5. Win Oo,
  6. Soe Win and
  7. Nay Htoo. 

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Mudon Township

 

Crop Destruction

 

On 7 January 2004, it was reported that the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) and irrigation officials of Mudon Township forced villagers to uproot maize plants in farmlands near Sat-Thwe village. During an inspection trip to Sat-Thwe village on 3 January the TPDC members and irrigation officials accused the village headman and farmers of using water from the dam to grow maize instead of rice. Even though the maize had been grown with water from the lake and not the dam, the officials ordered the village headman to gather 1 person from each household and to destroy the maize plants grown by Nae One and Mi Woot. Even though farmers had traditionally planted maize before the dam was constructed, the TPDC members demanded the villagers uprooted the maize plants.  After the village headman and villagers unwillingly uprooted approximately 1 acre of maize plants they felt pity for the owners and returned home. The TPDC members and officials again ordered the villagers to destroy the plants but the villagers remained disobedient.  It was reported that TPDC member ordered the destruction of the maize plants in order to show senior officers that rice was grown with water from the dam during inspection.  (Source: "Junta Destroys Corn Crops in Mudon," Kao Wao News No. 60, 7 January 2004)

 

Land Confiscation

 

On 4 June 2004, it was reported that the Burmese Army announced to the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) from Hnee Padaw and Kwan Hlar at a meeting in Thanbyu Zayat that they planed to confiscate 800 acres of farmland for 4 new battalions near Thanbuy Zayat. The VPDC council announced that the army would survey the farmlands in southern Mudon and Thanbyu Zayat Townships and that they would confiscate uncultivated and unregistered farmlands from their owners (Source: "Army Confiscates 800 Acres from Villagers," Kao Wao News No. 69, 4 June 2004)

 

Moulmein Township

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 14 October 2004, it was reported that civilians in Mon State’s capital, Moulmein, were forced to buy tickets and calendars issued by government organizations.  Civil servants reportedly went door to door selling the calendars and those who did not buy them were assumed to be opposition supporters. (Source: "Buy Calendar or Supply Thatch for the Army," Kao Wao News No. 76, 14 October 2004)

 

Thaton Township

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 28 March 2004, Sergeant Maung Hla Than of SPDC 314 artillery unit stole a goat from villager Saw Ta Bi Kho of Kya Ta Raw village in Thaton Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 2 January 2004, Company Commander Htun Htun Win of SPDC IB 6 demanded a ton of timber from each of 10 villages in Thaton Township to be sent to Pa Nwe Kla by 5 January 2004.  The affected villages were:

  1. Pah Hta village,
  2. Htee Wa Klay village,
  3. Htee Pu Wah village,
  4. Ta Roi Wah village,
  5. Naw Ka Tu (upper) village,
  6. Naw Ka Tu (lower) village,
  7. Ta Maw Daw village,
  8. Noe Ber Baw village,
  9. Pah Baw village and
  10. Noe Ta Lar Aw village.

 (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 28 February 2004, Than Htun from the DKBA demanded from villagers of Ta Maw Daw village in Thaton District 100 logs of Inn tree. Moreover, he also demanded 10 planks of sawed wood measuring 5 inches x 2 inches x 12 feet and 10 planks of sawed wood measuring 4 inches x 2 inches x 10 feet. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 13 March 2004, Sergeant Major Maung Aye of SPDC 314 artillery unit demanded each household of Shwe Yaung Pya village to provide wooden poles measuring 18 inches in girth and 6 feet in length. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 13 April 2004, SPDC troops got drunk and pretended to be DKBA troops. They met with Ler Hkaw and Ta Roi Khee villagers between Yo Po village and Lah Aw Hker village. The villagers were on their way to a monastery.  The SPDC troops looted from Ta Roi Khee villagers, Maung Ni and Wah Shwe, 2,500 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 23 May 2004, Than Htun from DKBA ordered villagers from Win Yaw village in Thaton Township to sell all their chickens, ducks and pigs and become vegetarians. He said that he would fine the families 5,000 kyat for failing to sell their domestic animals. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 30 August 2004, Battalion Commander Than Htoo Zaw of SPDC LIB 9 based at Wa Pa held a meeting of villagers in Thaton Township and demanded a total of 33 tons of wood to be bought to Win Yaw by the end of the month of Wa Kaeny month (mid September).  The following villages were affected:

  1. Ta Roi Khee village,
  2. Hee Pu Wah village,
  3. Ta Roi Wa village,
  4. Lower Naung Ka Dok village,
  5. Ta Maw Daw village,
  6. Noe Ber Baw village and
  7. Noe Ta La Aw village.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 1 September 2004, Battalion Commander Myint Naing of SPDC IB 8 demanded villages to provide the cost of fuel required to construct a road between Kyaik Tu Gon and Keh Maw. The folliwing villages were required to pay the following amounts:

  1. Shwe Yaung Pya village, 80,000 kyat;
  2. Ka Law Hker village, 70,000 kyat;
  3. Lah Aw Hker village, 80,000 kyat; and
  4. Kya Ta Raw village, 70,000 kyat.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Ye Township

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 8 September 2004, it was reported that the SPDC military forced villagers in southern Ye Township to pay the schoolteachers' salaries. It was reported that village headmen were ordered to collect 50,000 kyat from each village in order to pay the salary of civil servants.  Furthermore, a central committee member of the NMSP reported that the SPDC is building police stations in front of the Mon national schools in Ywar Thit and Yong Reh villages in order to upset the popular Mon schools, which have been run by the local community and Mon National Education Committee (MNEC) for several years. (Source: "Villagers Taxed to Pay Teachers' Salaries," Kao Wao News No. 74, 8 September 2004)

 

Land Confiscation

 

On 15 May 2004, it was reported that a Mon school in Ye Township was forced to shut down after the State Peace and Development Council authorities confiscated the land to build a government office. It was reported that Colonel Myint Aung had accused the Mon school of competing with the SPDC school.  Approximately 425 children from the Mon school are now out of class for an indefinite period of time even though the school is still standing and has yet to be demolished. (Source: "Mon Forced Out of Their Schools," Kao Wao News No. 67, 15 May 2004)

 

On 22 June 2004, it was reported that the SPDC confiscated over 800 acres of land owned by about 100 farmers in southern Ye Township. The confiscated land has rubber, betel nuts, durians, limes and other tropical fruits and vegetables. The majority of landowners are Mon farmers who rely on their land for a subsistence way of life. The area is designated a "black area" by the SPDC military as the SPDC launch military offensives against the armed Hongsawatoi Restoration Party (HRP) in the area.  Farmers must obtain permission to go to their farms in this area. 

The SPDC government has confiscated over 5,000 acres of land in Ye Township since the ceasefire agreement between the NMSP and military regime.  This has left people impoverished. The land is used for military purposes and the crops are ruined by the military, causing environmental degradation. (Source: "The Junta's Way of Sustainable Development," Kao Wao News No. 70, 22 June 2004)

 

On 20 August 2004, it was reported that approximately 300 acres of land in Gu Kha Taw, near Du-Yar (Durae) in western Ye Township, were surveyed by the Ye Township SPDC authorities. While the SPDC authorities did not reveal the details for the planned project on this site, they did announce that the government would offer 2 million kyat for a new hospital in Du-Yar.  Villagers were initially happy about this news, but were upset when 8 acres of land was confiscated.  In addition, the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, who is in charge of the project, have ordered villagers to contribute money to the project.  Villagers have been forced to pay approximately 10 million kyat towards the hospital project. (Source: "Land Confiscated for Infrastructure Projects," Kao Wao News No. 73, 20 August 2004)

 

5.9 Situation in Pegu Division

 

Note: Both Nyaunglebin District and Toungoo District are areas demarcated by the KNU as Karen territory. Toungoo falls partially in SPDC demarcated Pegu Division and partially in SPDC demarcated Karen State. Toungoo is under the patrol of the 2nd Brigade of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Nyaunglebin falls in SPDC demarcated Pegu Division and is under the patrol of the 3rd Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize Nyaunglebin or Toungoo as official districts.

  

Nyaunglebin District

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 27 February 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 264 looted items, arrested villagers and killed 2 villagers in Shan Gyaung village in Mone Township. On 28 February 2004, these troops also looted items, arrested villagers and killed 2 villagers in Pan Gar Gin village at Ywa Sa Gaw road in Mone Township. Villagers inquired into the names and facts of the 4 killed villagers. The SPDC Division Commander Maung Ni issued an order that any villagers found in Ywa Sa Gaw and Tu Kot Kho areas would be shot to death without question. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 29 February 2004, soldiers from SPDC LIB 390 entered Yae Tway Pyu and Myaung U' villages and went to the timber mills and demanded the following items from each mill:

  1. 30,000 kyat;
  2. 1 tin of rice;
  3. 1 chicken;
  4. salt;
  5. aginomoto (monosodium glutamate);
  6. shrimp paste; and
  7. turmeric.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 11 September 2004, a column of 50 troops from SPDC LIB 599 came to Ta Per Hta area in Mone Township, and looted the following items from the paddy field hut of Saw Soe Win:

  1. 2 pots,
  2. 2 cattle,
  3. 5 machetes,
  4. 5 plastic sheets for roofing,
  5. 1 mosquito net,
  6. 1 blanket,
  7. salt and
  8. chili.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 14 September 2004, 23 troops from SPDC LIB 264 led by Column Commander Nyein Chan Oo came to Mar Lar Daw village in Mone Township and demanded 5 viss of pork from the village headman. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

From 1 January 2004 to 1 April 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 590 and troops from the anti insurgent group operating in Mone Township demanded 80,000 kyat a month from Mee Daing Taw village tract. The SPDC troops based at Mee Daing Taw and Htee Toe Loe demanded 22,000 kyat per month for porter fees and watch man fees from 2 villages. As village tract chairman, U Aung Pe, had to go to the office at Kyauk Kyi once a month, they also demanded 12,000 kyat per month from the villagers as a travelling allowance. Furthermore, the SPDC camp commander based at Htee Toe Loe village and Mee Daing Taw village demanded villagers to provide a bullock cart each day. If the bullock cart failed to function the villagers had to pay 30,000 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 7 January 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 590 under SPDC LID 99 commandeered 3 bullock carts from Paw Pi Doe village in Mone Township for transporting bamboo to build a pagoda at Ye Oh Sin. While transporting bamboo, the bullock that was drawing the cart ran and the bullock driver, Saw Kyeh Pray, fell off the cart and the cart and the bull trampled him. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 27 January 2004, SPDC LIB 599 ordered villagers from Ko Nee area to provide 10 bullock carts for transporting timber to Tee Ler Baw and Mg Lay Pu. The areas subject to this order were Goe Nee and Ta Kaw Pwa village tracts. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 29 January 2004, SPDC LIB 599 ordered villagers from Goe Nee and Ta Kaw Pwa village tracts to provide 10 bullock carts and to transport wood from Tee Ler to Tone Hong. Those who refused would be charged 500 baht. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 13 February 2004, SPDC LIB 599 Battalion Commander Win Tway, Bo Mu, Major Saw Maung Maung and Office Minister Myint Tun, together with members of the militia, extorted money from the cart and car owners in Ko Nee village as they passed on the road. No one was allowed to refuse to pay. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 28 February 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 264, consisting of 12 men and led by Bo Khin Maung Myint, came to Ye Dwin Phyu village in Mone Township and demanded 30,000 kyat from villagers for each saw mill, making a total of 120,000 kyat from 4 saw mills. Moreover, these troops also extorted 1 basket of rice, 1 chicken and some cooking materials from that village and also extorted 1 chicken from Paw Pi Doe village. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 1 March 2004, Mee Daing Taw Camp Commander Sergeant Major Mi Da of the SPDC army and Thein Han of the anti insurgent group demanded 8 logs of teak from Mae Zi Li Gon village in Mone Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 2 March 2004, Mee Daing Taw Camp Commander Sergeant Major Mi Da of the SPDC army and Thein Han of the anti insurgent group demanded 11 logs of teak and 27,500 kyat from Aung Chan Tha village in Mone Township. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 5 March 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 439 led by Column 2 Commander Sann Myaint collected money from villagers traveling on the Kyauk Kyi Pauk road in Mone Township. Villagers were charged 5,000 kyat for a bullock cart and 100 kyat for a bicycle. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 19 March 2004, SPDC Operation Command 3 Commander Khin Maung Oo, Bo Lin Ko and Bo Eh Kaw Htoo of the DKBA ordered 400 bullock carts and 3 large trucks from areas No.5 and No.6 of Mone Township to go up to Maw Lay and Htee Ler Baw Hta to collect timber from Kaw Lar Wah Lu mountain. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 March 2004, regarding the order of forced relocation of villages in plain areas and mountain foot areas in Kyauk Kyi Township, SPDC Operation Command 3 Commander Htein Win reissued an order that these villages no longer had to relocate but that each village tract was required to pay 100,000 kyat instead. The affected village tracts were:

  1. Wet Lar Daw village,
  2. Toe Wah Saik village,
  3. Noe Gaw village,
  4. Thoo Ka Bee village,
  5. Gamon Aing village,
  6. Kyauk Sa Yit village,
  7. Par Ta Lar village and
  8. Hin Tha Weh village.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 2 April 2004, troops from SPDC IB 60 and IB 351 in Kyauk Kyi Township were ordered to find funds for troops in the front lines and camps. Therefore, each unit collected 100,000 kyat from the villagers, of which 80,000 kyat had to be sent to the Battalion Headquarters and 20,000 kyat was for their own use. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 7 April 2004, about 15 men from SPDC LIB 599 led by Aung Kyaw Lin came to Ye Dwin Pyu village in Mone Township and demanded timber measuring 3"x 2", 4"x 2" and 2 logs of Pyin Kadoe wood from saw mill owners Daw Hla Hla Win, Ko Lun Maung Zaw and Daw Thein Kyi. The total amount was 4 full bullock cart loads and the villagers were forced to transport the items to the camp of LIB 599. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 16 April 2004, SPDC battalions IB 57 and LIB 349 of Shwe Gyin Township dismantled their former army camp buildings on a mountain top and took the wood and metal sheets to construct a new camp at Shwe Gyin River, 5 miles south of Kwee Lay village.  The troops used villagers’ bullock carts to move. The objectives for shifting the camp to the new site were to mine gold, to grow cardamom, to construct a hydro-electric power station, to create security for Kyauk Na Gar dam site and to cut the communication line between of KNLA Battalion 7 of Kyauk Kyi Township and KNLA Battalion 9 of Shwe Gyin Township in order to prevent them from going to plain areas. Furthermore, as it was the rainy season and the time to grow rice, villagers in the plain areas of Kyauk Kyi Township who needed to stay in their field huts to work in their fields were charged 3,000 kyat per month by the SPDC army. Citing security as the reason, the SPDC troops also posted DKBA troops in the area and ordered each household to pay 1,000 kyat to the army.  Kaw Tha Say village, with 70 households, and Shu Khin Tha village, with 64 households, had to pay 1,000 kyat per month, per household, until the end of rice growing season. In order to have permission to stay in their field huts and work, the villagers had to pay 5,000 kyat per month for each hut or a total of 15,000 kyat in three installments. Villagers on the plains in Mone Township had to pay 500 kyat per month while villagers of Ta Kort Bwa had to pay 1,000 kyat per month during rice growing season in order to get permission to stay in field huts and work. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 9 July 2004, Da Wee from the DKBA based at Yan Gyi Aung village ordered villagers from Pa Ta La village to buy him a boat worth 30,000 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 11 July 2004, Intelligence officer Yan Naing of SPDC LIB 439 ordered the villages of Pa Ta La, Thoo Ka Bee and Wet Lar Daw in Kyauk Kyi Township to each pay him 30,000 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 10 September 2004 at 10:00 am, about 30 troops from SPDC LIB 599 column 2 led by the battalion second in command arrested and questioned Aung Chan Tha villagers, Ma Mah, Ko Kyaw Thu, Ma Nah and Kyi Soe.  On 12 September 2004, the villagers were taken by the army.  The army also came to the plantation of Saw Pleh Ray and looted the following items:

  1. 1 mosquito net,
  2. 1 blanket,
  3. 1 sarong and
  4. 1 shirt.

In addition, they came into Paw Pi Do village and ordered the village headman to buy them a chicken worth 1,500 kyat and also ordered him to collect money for the guide, at 1,000 kyat per day for 4 days. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 September 2004, Company Commander Thein Soe of SPDC LIB 599 and his troops demanded money from the following villages in Mone Township for the construction of an army camp office:

  1. Myaung Oo village, 700,000 kyat;
  2. Paw Pi Doe village, 700,000 kyat; and
  3. Aung Chan Tha village, 300,000 kyat.

They said that villagers who paid money would not be ordered to work from 26 September 2004 to 7 October 2004. These troops also ordered 20 Myaung Oo villagers to construct a building to store food. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 27 September 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 599 based at Daung Taung camp arrested 2 villagers, Win Myint and Ko Wa, from Myaung Oo village in Mone Township. The troops demanded 20,000 kyat from each of them and released them on 28 September 2004. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 29 September 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 599 led by Company Commander Thein Soe arrested Ma Htay from Myaung Oo village in Mone Township and demanded a sewing machine from her. As she did not have a sewing machine, she had to pay 100,000 kyat for her release. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 1 October 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 599 led by Company Commander Thein Soe demanded 200,000 kyat and 5 viss of betel nut from Myo Naing of Myaung Oo village in Mon Township. Moreover, these troops also demanded 280,000 kyat from 16 betel nut plantation owners and banned them from going to their plantations. The troops also sold the villagers' betel nuts. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 30 November 2004, Camp Commander Sergeant Khin Maung Kyi of SPDC LIB 381 based at Aung Soe Moe in Mone Township ordered 110 villagers from Aung Soe Moe village to construct a clinic. Moreover, he collected 500 kyat from each household in Aung Soe Moe village, totaling 120,000 kyat. (Source: KIC, 2004)

 

Crop Destruction

 

On 15 March 2004, SPDC troops came to a place above Paw Likay Kho village in Kyau Kyi Township and found 2 rice barns and burnt them down. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

From the beginning of November 2004 to 23 November 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 598 came to the village tracts of Blaw Kho and Mae Ka Ti, in the southern part of Shwe Gyin Township, and burnt down villagers' paddy barns. Twenty seven plots of upland paddy were damaged and villagers could not harvest their rice crops. (Source: KIC, 2004)

 

On 23 November 2004, troops from SPDC IB 264 came to Doo Pa Leh area in Htee Bla village tract in Shwe Gyin Township and burnt down villagers' paddy barns and paddy threshing ground. The full extent of the damage is not yet known. (Source: KIC, 2004)

 

On 22 December 2004, the SPDC column operating in Kyauk Kyi Township destroyed 5 paddy barns belonging to villagers in Pler Kaw Plaw. Moreover, these troops looted 11 baskets of paddy, 3 pots and all of Saya Nay Htoo's clothing. (Source: KIC, 2005)

 

On 22 December 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 182 and LIB 168 destroyed 1 paddy barn at Hkeh Doe village and 1 paddy barn at Daw Baw Khee village in Kyauk Kyi Township. Due to this, 1,477 persons from 171 families from Hkeh Doe village had to hide in the jungle as IDPs. (Source: KIC, 2005)

 

Destruction of Property by the Army

 

On 5 March 2004, Column 1 and 2 of SPDC IB 30 came to the pagoda of Ta Paw Lay mountain in Shway Gyin Township and burnt down the temple building and the rest house. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 14 November 2004, SPDC IB 57, LIB 350 and LIB 589 left the town of Shwegyin and entered the Su Mu Lah river and Khaw Lah river area. The SPDC troops burnt the civilians' houses, field huts and paddy. (Source: FBR, 2004)

 

Toungoo District

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army  

 

On 14 January 2004, troops from SPDC IB 264 led by Bo Nay Htun Lin shot and killed one cow from Maw Pa Doe village in Tan Ta Bin Township. Similarly, troops from SPDC IB 12 led by Bo Aung Naing Oo came to Kaw Soe Kho area and looted all items found from villagers. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 16 January 2004 at 3:56 pm, troops from SPDC LIB 511 led by Battalion Commander Aung Kyaw Moe came to Htee Sar Per village in Than Daung Township and burnt down 2 houses belonging to Saw Ah Mara and Saw Ta Nee Ni. Moreover, these troops looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Ta Pay Meh, aged 70, 1 fishing net, 1 home made arm, 2 gold rings, 1 silver ring, 2 Karen bags, 15 viss of salt, 20 viss of fish paste, 40 sheets of zinc for roofing, 4 pots, 8 plates, one trunk, 6 tins of rice, one machete, 30 chickens and some clothing with a total value of 955,000 kyat and 320,000 kyat of cash;
  2. Saw Ah Mya Htoo, 2 tins of rice, 4 pots, 10 plates, 3 spoons, 4 viss of betel nut, 5 machetes, 3 pairs of shoes, 3 viss of chicken and some clothing with a total value of 167,500 kyat;
  3. Saw Henry, 1 tin of rice and 5,000 kyat;
  4. Saw Ah Mara, 14 sheets of zinc roofing sheets, 60 viss of betel nut, 3 tins of rice, 30 viss of salt, 13 machetes, 3 viss of cardamom seeds, 3 hens with chicks, 6,500 kyat cash, 10 viss of fish paste, 13 baskets of paddy rice, 3 large pots, 5 plates, 3 pairs of rain boots, 2 mats, 1 casting net, 2 flashlights, 2 kettles, 5 tea cups, 2 local made arms and 1 hammock;
  5. Saw Pa Bi Keh, 3 large pots and 5 machetes; and
  6. Saw Ta Gaw, 1 large pot.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 27 January 2004, troops from SPDC IB 94 came to Sho Ser area in Than Daung Township where villagers were in hiding and caused villagers from Sho Ser to flee from their hiding places. The troops looted items from the following villagers:

  1. Naw Pu, items worth 120,000 kyat;
  2. Saw Htoo, items worth 18,000 kyat;
  3. Naw Say Mu, items worth 200,000 kyat;
  4. Saw Mar Sha, items worth 20,000 kyat;
  5. Naw Dah Dar, items worth 5,000 kyat; and
  6. Saw Day Po Si, items worth 38,000 kyat.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 27 January 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 117, under LIB 55, came to Kaw Thay Doe village in Tan Ta Bin Township and destroyed 48 houses and looted villagers' household items, such as rice, salt fish paste and clothing. The troops also destroyed the villagers remaining items worth 910,000 kyat. Moreover, they killed and ate villagers' cats, leaving the skulls of the cats in the villagers' houses and also excreted in the houses. The troops threatened the villages that they must not tell anybody what they had done. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 10 February 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 439 based at Klaw Mee Doe looted 2 large pots and 2 large pans from Klaw Mee Doe village. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 4 March 2004, about 40 troops from SPDC IB 124 and IB 39 came to Maw Koe Doe villagein Than Daung Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw December, 25, 5,000 kyat, 1 chicken and 1 torch light;
  2. Saw Nay Oh Tha, 55, 1 blanket, 2,000 kyat, 1 tin of rice, 2 shirts, 1 men's sarong and 5 viss of fish paste;
  3. Naw Paw Hser Nay, 22, 2 blankets, 2 hangkok pots, 2 torch lights and 5 viss of cooking oil; and
  4. Naw Sha Say, 30, 5 viss of cooking oil, 3 viss of slab sugar and 1 viss of sugar.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 18 June 2004, troops from SPDC IB 39 led by Sergeant Aung San Oo, under Battalion Commander Win Oo, came to Kaw Soe Kho village and demanded liquor and chickens from the villagers. In addition, these troops stole 1 chicken from Naw Aw Ku. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 21 June 2004, SPDC IB 92 Commander Thaing Myint demanded 1 tin of rice from the villagers of Su Ler Ko village. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 7 July 2004, SPDC IB 60 Operation 1 Commander Hlaing Win Tint took the following items from Mong Long Lay, the leader of Hu Mu Dun village:

  1. 3 golden rings,
  2. 1 silver ring,
  3. 70 silver coins,
  4. 1 pair of golden earrings,
  5. 1 golden necklace,
  6. 1 silver bracelet,
  7. 5,000 kyat,
  8. 13 longyi and
  9. 4 shirts.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 7 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 60 led by Column 1 Commander Bo Hlaing Win Tint came to Hu Mu Doe village in Tan Ta Bin Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Sa Keh, one air rifle; and
  2. Maung Ah Noe, 14 ampoules of intravenous injection, some intra-muscular injections and some medicine tablets.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Between 8 July 2004 and 27 July 2004, members of the Township Peace and Development Committee (TPDC) of Tan Ta Bin Township came to Shan Zee Bo village and extorted 1 sack of ordinary grade rice, 6 pyi of high grade rice and poultry worth 28,600 kyat from villagers. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Between 20 July 2004 and 24 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 73 led by Bo San Myint came to villages in Tan Da Bin Township and looted 16 villagers' chickens worth 20,000 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 21 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 92 led by Bo Thein Myint came to Ler Kho village and demanded 1 tin of rice from the village head. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 17 July 2004, an SPDC column deployed for battle and led by Commander Kin Soe ordered Kler La villagers to provide 13 cars with fuel and 1 large iron container. The total worth of the items provided was 104,000 kyat. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 23 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 60 Column 2 confiscated muzzle loaders from villagers of Swa Lo village in Tan Da Bin Township.  The villagers were:

  1. Than Lwin,
  2. Maung Hla Myint,
  3. San Ma Tet,
  4. Po Ka Lah,
  5. Many Hla Myaing and
  6. Saw Tha Taw.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 31 August 2004, troops from SPDC IB 60 based at Klaw Mee Doe and led by Column 1 Commander Hlaing Win Tint came to the hill paddy fields of Mwe Lor villagers in Tan Ta Bin Township and looted the following items from the following villagers:

  1. Saw Htoo Ker, 4 pyi of rice;
  2. Saw Hla Win, 1 chicken;
  3. Saw Say Po, 3 chickens and 2 sarongs;
  4. Saw Kaw Kor Gyi, 1 viss of salt and 8 pyi of pea nut;
  5. Maung Than Shwe, 4 pyi of rice and 1.5 viss of chicken;
  6. Saw Sha Ngeh, 1 blanket and 1 cat;
  7. Saw Hsa Paw Law, 1 bottle of oil and 1 viss of dried fish; and
  8. Saw Hsa Klee Kli, 2 pyi of rice.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 10 September 2004, SPDC IB 73 Commander Thi Ro Saw demanded 1 large package of rice from the villagers in Taw Ma Aye village. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 17 September 2004, SPDC IB 73 Operation Command 1 Regiment Commander San Myint took 2 ducks and 3 chickens from villagers in Ka Hser Doh village. In addition, 6 villagers were taken to carry military supplies. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 18 September 2004, troops from SPDC IB 73 Column 1 led by Major San Myint came to Mwee Lor village in Tan Ta Bin Township and looted 20 chickens, 12 pyi of peanut and 3 pyi of rice from villagers. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 19 November 2004, troops from SPDC IB 60 Column 1 and Column 2 led by Battalion Commander Hlaing Myint and 2nd Commander Win Bo Shein came to Saw Mu Doe village in Tan Ta Bin Township and looted food and other possessions from villager Saw Pa Nwee. They also looted the following items from Naw Saw Paw:

  1. 24 bottles of honey,
  2. 2 tarpaulin sheets,
  3. 1 tin of rice,
  4. 1 "hangkok" (rice carrier),
  5. 2 steel pots,
  6. 2 carry plates,
  7. 5 machetes,
  8. 5 bottles of insulin and
  9. 1˝ tins of peanuts.

(Source: KIC, 2004)

 

On 26 December 2004, Battalion Second in Command Maung Maung Soe of SPDC IB 73 seized 2 villagers from Hsaw Wa Doe village in Tan Ta Bin Township and looted all items from them. From Saw Tu Kru he looted:

  1. 300,000 kyat,
  2. 1 air rifle and
  3. 1 radio receiver.

From Saw Tah Ta he looted:

  1. 1 firearm.

They were not released until the time of this report, February 2005. (Source: KIC, 2005)

 

On 27 December 2004, troops from SPDC IB 73 led by Battalion Second in Command came to Hsaw Wa De area in Tan Ta Bin Township and looted from Hsaw Wa Doe villager, Saw Kay En Yu, 1 chicken and 2 large pots. (Source: KIC, 2005)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 3 January 2004, Commander Khin Soe of Military Command 1 under SPDC Southern Command Headquarters commandeered 8 trucks belonging to Baw Gali and Kaw Thay Doe villagers to transport army food supplies from Baw Gali to Tha Aye Hta. The owners of the trucks were:

  1. Saw Yo Nah,
  2. Saw Maw Kro,
  3. Saw Ta Hto,
  4. Saw Per Boo,
  5. Saw Lu Pway Doe,
  6. Saw Tin Nyunt,
  7. Saw Tat Ma Daw and
  8. Naw Ma Mar.

At present, the SPDC troops do not use their bulldozers to construct roads. Instead, they use villagers for road construction. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

From 12 January 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters based at Baw Gali commandeered Baw Gali villagers' trucks to transport rice sacks from Southern Command Headquarters. The following Baw Gali villagers were forced to transport rice:

  1. Saw Yo Nah, 160 sacks of rice;
  2. Naw Dihlia, 160 sacks;
  3. Saw Maung Kro, 120 sacks;
  4. Saw Per Bu, 120 sacks; and
  5. Saw Ta Htoe, 120 sacks.

The following Kaw Soe Kho villagers were forced to transport rice:

  1. Saw Say Doe, 120 sacks.

The following Kaw Thay Doe villagers were forced to transport rice:

  1. Naw Ma Mar, 120 sacks;
  2. Naw Ah Ri, 120 sacks; and
  3. Saw Win Kro, 120 sacks.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 13 January 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters arrested and extorted 1,500 kyat from villagers in Baw Gali area between Baw Gali village and Maw Koe Doe village. Each of the following villagers was forced to pay 1,500 kyat each:

  1. Naw Kree Meh,
  2. Saw Hpa Haw,
  3. Saw Nay Kaw,
  4. Saw Has Keh,
  5. Saw Nay Paw,
  6. Saw Ku,
  7. Saw Taw Kater Moo and
  8. Saw Lah May.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 14 January 2004, troops from SPDC IB 73 led by Bo Kyaw Myo Htun came to Pyin Gan village in Tan Ta Bin Township and forced bullock cart owners to purchase ownership cards at 1,000 kyat per card. Moreover, these troops collected money with cash receipts from Pyin Gan, a Pa-o village and Burmese village, at 3,000 kyat per cash receipt. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 19 January 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters ordered his sub-ordinate G-3 Aye Min Htun to commandeer trucks from truck owners in Baw Gali village and Kaw Thay Doe village to transport 7,000 sacks of rice and materials for bridge construction to Aung Myin camp in Bi Mu Kho area at the border of Karenni State. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 19 January 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters commandeered a truck from Naw Noe of Kaw Thay Doe village and a truck from Saw Yo Si of Kaw Soe Kho village to carry steel materials for bridge construction from the Southern Command Headquarters to Tha Ay Hta camp. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 January 2004, the SPDC troops led by Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters commandeered 6 trucks from Baw Gali village and Kaw Thay Doe village to transport 3,825 sacks of rice for army rations from Baw Gali village to Tha Aye Hta village. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 January 2004, the Tan Ta Bin Township SPDC authorities came to Sha Zi Bo village tract and Lay Ti village tract and demanded 400 kyat from each villager for an ID card. On that day, Bo Tin Lin Zaw of SPDC LIB 439 demanded 100 kyat for each villager's bullock cart and demanded 200 kyat for each villager's bullock cart that carried fire wood and bamboo. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 28 January 2004, Operation Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters commandeered a truck from Saw Lah Doe of Baw Gali village in Tan Ta Bin Township to transport ration supplies from Baw Gali village to the front line camp at Kaw Thay Doe. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 9 February 2004, SPDC IB 73 troops based at Kler Pa Htaw in the Place region ordered the following poles of bamboo from the following villages in order to construct their former army camp at Hnget Pyaw Daw, Pyin Gan village:

  1. Sha Zee Po village, 300 poles of bamboo and 10 poles of wood;
  2. Zee Pyu Gon village, 150 poles of bamboo and 5 poles of wood;
  3. Ye Shan village, 100 poles of bamboo and 5 poles of wood; and
  4. Taw Gon village, 100 poles of bamboo and 5 poles of wood.

 (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 24 February 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters ordered villagers' trucks from Baw Gali village and Kaw Thay Doe village to come to Baw Gali Gyi village. The next day these trucks were commandeered to transport food supplies for the army to Naw Soe, Ka Law Soe and Bu Sa Khee camps. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 27 February 2004, troops from SPDC Southern Command Headquarters led by Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe commandeered trucks from villagers in Baw Gali village and Kaw Soe Kho village in Tan Ta Bin Township to transport rice to Naw Soe camp. The amount of rice to be carried by each truck by the following villagers was:

  1. Saw Maung Yo, 60 sacks;
  2. Saw Maung Klo, 35 sacks;
  3. Saw Yo See, 45 sacks;
  4. Saw Ta Toe, 45 sacks;
  5. Naw Dalia, 60 sacks; and
  6. Saw Say Doe, 35 sacks.

Moreover, Operation Commander Khin Soe ordered villagers' trucks from Baw Gali village and Kaw Thay Doe village to come and gather up at Kaw Thay Doe village by 5 March 2004. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 16 March 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters commandeered a truck from Naw Mar Ma of Kaw Thay Doe village to transport 50 sacks of rice and other materials from Baw Gali to Kaw Thay Doe. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 19 March 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters commandeered the trucks of the following Baw Gali villagers to transport military rations from Naw Soe to Bu Hsa Khe.

  1. Saw Yo Nah,
  2. Saw Tat Ma Daw and
  3. Naw Mah Mar.

These trucks normally transport goods to Toungoo and as they were commandeered to carry supplies by the army, including betel leaf and other goods, the truck owners lost about 100,000 kyat. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 7 April 2004, SPDC Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe commandeered 4 trucks from Kaw Thay Doe and Baw Gali villagers in order to transport military supplies and to clear landmines.  The following villagers' trucks were commandeered:

  1. Naw No Noe, from Kaw Thay Doe village;
  2. Saw Lah Doe, from Baw Ga Li village;
  3. Saw Toe See from Baw Ga Li village; and
  4. Saw Yo Ha, from Baw Ga Li village.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 10 April 2004, SPDC Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe demanded villagers' trucks from Baw Gali and Kaw Thay Doe villages in Tan Ta Bin Township and ordered Battalion Commander Nyi Nyi Thein Dan of SPDC IB 75 and Battalion Commander Thet Naing of SPDC IB 48 to take control and send food supplies to Bu Hsa Khee camp. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 11 April 2004, troops from SPDC IB 39 led by Battalion Commander Win Oo and troops from SPDC IB 73 led by Battalion Commander San Myint were operating in Sha Zi Bo area in Tan Da Bin Township. They demanded 20 bullock carts from Sha Zu Bo and Ye Shan villages. On 12 April 2004, Bo Soe Lwin of SPDC IB 73 took control of these bullock carts and transported food supplies to Ka Ser Doe camp. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 21 April 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters commandeered a truck from Saw Lah Doe of Baw Gali village and a truck from Naw Ma Mar of Kaw Thay Doe village to transport 200 sacks of rice from Naw Soe to Bu Hsa Khee. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 22 April 2004, Operation Commander of Southern Command Headquarters based at Baw Gali camp demanded that villagers from Lerko village in Baw Gali village tract cut 250 giant bamboo poles 6 cubits long and 250 giant bamboo poles 12 cubit long and ordered them to pile the bamboo up near the motor road on 25 April 2004. The bamboo was for sale in the town for the soldiers' own profit. The villagers were faced with great difficulty as the area has a scarcity of giant bamboo. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 25 April 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters demanded that villages in the Baw Gali area bring 500 poles of bamboo to Baw Gali camp to construct Baw Gali army camp. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 2 May 2004, SPDC Commander Min Ko Ko of the IB at Kaw Thay Dun ordered Kaw Thay Dun villagers to provide 200 large poles of bamboo. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 18 May 2004, SPDC IB 60 Commander Hlaing Win Tint ordered each household in both Ler Klar Dur village and Hu Mu Dur villages to provide 1 bamboo pole and to send it to the Klaw Mee Dur infantry camp. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 8 June 2004, SPDC IB Commander Nyi Nyi ordered the headman of Ga Mu Dur village in Daw Pa Ko Township to buy food for the military from Kler La village and to send it to Ko Day Infantry once each week. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 14 June 2004, troops from SPDC IB 26 led by Bo Aung Naing Oo demanded 2,500 kyat from each of the following bullock cart owners:

  1. Saw Bo Lay,
  2. Saw Henry,
  3. Saw Bo Win,
  4. Saw Kyaw Peh Say,
  5. Saw Kya Htwe and
  6. Saw Po Sheh.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 30 June 2004, SPDC IB 73 Commander Tin Khaing demanded all the villagers from Tha Ya Goe and Ma La Goe villages to buy a work permit for 100 kyat each. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 1 July 2004, SPDC IB 39 Commander Lwin Oo ordered all Ma Aye villagers to purchase a work permit twice a week for 200 kyat per permit. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 2 July 2004, SPDC IB 60 Commander Mg Mg Lah ordered villagers in Sa Si Boe, Yin Sha, Taw Ku and Si Pyu Goe villages to buy work permits twice a week for 100 kyat each. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 3 July 2004, SPDC IB 73 led by Tint Khaing ordered villagers from the following villages to bring 2 big packages of rice to Pyint Ka infantry once a month:

  1. Sa Si Boe village,
  2. Yin Sha village,
  3. Taw Gu village and
  4. Si Pyu Goe village.

(Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 15 July 2004, SPDC IB 73 Commander Myo Zaw ordered every villager in Sa Si Boe, Yin Sha, Taw Ku and Si Pyu Goe villagers to provide one large package of rice. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 17 July 2004, troops from Southern Command Headquarters Operation Command 1 based at Baw Gali and troops from SPDC IB 53 led by Battalion Commander Aung Kyaw Htay commandeered a truck from Saw Yo Nah of Baw Gali village to transport army rations to Maw Chee and Bu Hsa Khee. The troops also demanded 20 liters of gasoline per truck from the following truck owners in the Baw Gali area:

  1. Saw Yo Nah,
  2. Saw Ta  Toe,
  3. Saw Maung Kro,
  4. Saw Lu Pwe Doe,
  5. Saw Lah Doe,
  6. Saw Yo See,
  7. Saw Say Doe,
  8. Saw Peh Pu,
  9. Naw Mah Ma,
  10. Naw Dahlia,
  11. Naw Noh Noe,
  12. Saw Way Roe and
  13. Saw Ta Maw Taw.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 21 July 2004, troops from SPDC IB 92 led by Bo Kyaw Thu based at Bo Deh Gon camp near Htone Bo village demanded 10,000 kyat per pair of buffalo from buffalo owners in Swa Lor village in Tan Da Bin Township. The buffalo owners were:

  1. Zaw Myint Soe,
  2. Zaw Lin Htin and
  3. Po Than Si.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 7 September 2004, troops from SPDC IB 73 led by Bo Aung Kyaw Myint demanded 3,000 kyat per rice mill from Sha Zi Po village, making the total amount 12,000 kyat for 4 rice mills. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 16 September 2004, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC South East Command Headquarters based at Baw Gali village commandeered a truck from Naw Ah Ree of Kaw Thay Doe village in Tan Ta Bin Township to transport fire wood for their army camp. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 16 September 2004, an SPDC column led by Commander Kin Soe ordered that all villagers from Kler La and Kaw Thay Dur had to purchase work permits for 50 kyat each in order to go out to their fields and work. If the villagers failed to do so, actions would be taken against them. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 6 November 2004, Camp Commander Ba Thein of SPDC IB 92 based at Bo Deh Gon camp demanded 5,000 kyat for a pair of buffaloes. In total, he took 20,000 kyat from buffalo owners of Htone Bo village in Tan Ta Bin Township. The buffalo owners were:

  1. Saw Po Lay,
  2. Saw Kyaw,
  3. Saw Po Thein and
  4. Saw Kyaw Pwe.

(Source: KIC, 2004)

 

On 19 November 2004, troops from SPDC IB 73 Company 4 led by Bo Kyaw Ze Ya demanded 3,000 kyat for each pair of buffalo. In total, he took 21,000 kyat from buffalo owners in villages of Tan Ta Bin Township. From Swa Lor village, the buffalo owners were:

  1. Kyaw Kyaw,
  2. Myint Soe and
  3. Po Di. 

From Karenni Gon village, the buffalo owners were:

  1. Saw Lin Htin,
  2. Saw Ler Moo,
  3. Tin Than Win and
  4. Saw Ah Per.

(Source: KIC, 2004)

 

Crop Destruction

 

On 6 March 2004 at 3:00 pm, Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters ordered IB 48, which is under his control, to burn forests on both sides of the motor road from Si Hkeh Doe to Ploe Mu Doe, which damaged many villagers' betel nut, durian and cardamom plantations. (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 13 March 2004, troops from SPDC IB 124 led by Ko Ko Aung set fire to forest in Klay Soe Khee, Ger Mu Doe, Koe Day and Tha Aye Hta areas along the motor road from Tha Aye Hta to Koe Day and as a result many villagers' plantation were burnt and destroyed. On 14 March 2004 at 5:30 pm, these troops came to Der Doe village and arrested the following villagers without reason:

  1. Saw Ta Bleh,
  2. Saw Kaw Lar Thoo,
  3. Saw Bo Win Htoo,
  4. Saw Robin and
  5. Saw Po Klo.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 26 March 2004, troops from SPDC IB 124 led by Ko Ko Aung and under the control of Operation Command 1 Commander Khin Soe of SPDC Southern Command Headquarters burnt down villagers' cardamom plantations at Naw Thay Doe and Der Doe villages. The owners of the cardamom plantations were:

  1. Saw Htoo Htee,
  2. Saw Htoo Lay,
  3. Saw Kri Po,
  4. Naw Heh Htoo,
  5. Saw Wah Sa,
  6. Saw Ah Ree,
  7. Saw Ha Deh,
  8. Saw Gay Gay and
  9. Saw Dah Po.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

On 7 April 2004, troops from SPDC IB 75 operating in Sheh Lor on the Toungoo Maw Chi motor road torched the forests, resulting in the destruction of 90 percent of villagers' cardamom fields. Owners of the cardamom fields were:

  1. Naw Lar Toe, expecting a yield of 120 viss;
  2. Naw Lah Po, expecting a yield of 40 viss;
  3. Saw Hsa Koo, expecting a yield of 190 viss;
  4. Saw Lah Heh, expecting a yield of 30 viss;
  5. Saw Heh Moo, expecting a yield of 40 viss;
  6. Saw Kaw Ka Ter, expecting a yield of 30 viss;
  7. Saw Ku Neh, expecting a yield of 150 viss;
  8. Naw Doe Htoo, expecting a yield of 40 viss;
  9. Saw Ta Teh Doe, expecting a yield of 80 viss;
  10. Saw Maung Thet Tha, expecting a yield of 70 viss;
  11. Saw Ah Theh, expecting a yield of 60 viss;
  12. Saw Ta Po Tu, expecting a yield of 80 viss;
  13. Naw Ler Htoo, expecting a yield of 80 viss;
  14. Saw Ree Ni, expecting a yield of 80 viss;
  15. Saw Kaw Keh Neh, expecting a yield of 70 viss;
  16. Naw Poo expecting a yield of 40 viss;
  17. Saw Ywa Heh, expecting a yield of 100 viss;
  18. Naw Ta Ree, expecting a yield of 40 viss;
  19. Saw Thee Dee, expecting a yield of 70 viss;
  20. Saw Tu Lo Mo, expecting a yield of 60 viss;
  21. Saw Hee Doe, expecting a yield of 40 viss;
  22. Saw Mo Shay, expecting a yield of 30 viss;
  23. Saw Ta Pu, expecting a yield of 60 viss;
  24. Naw Htee Mu, expecting a yield of 30 viss;
  25. Saw Benjamin, expecting a yield of 70 viss; and
  26. Naw Paw Gay, expecting a yield of 80 viss.

(Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

Land Confiscation

 

On 3 April 2004, in order to carry out the SPDC Southern Command Headquarters’ plans to distribute lands to SPDC 124, based at Ba Yint Nayng garrison town, troops from SPDC IB 39, led by Sergeant Major Tin Oo, together with a land survey team, came and conducted land surveys and confiscated lands in area No. 761, Sha Zee Bo area, Tan Ta Bin Township. In total, 14 plots of rice fields covering 107 acres were confiscated.  The confiscated lands were owned by:

  1. Saw Pah Wah, 8 acres;
  2. Saw Kyaw Tet, 7 acres;
  3. Saw Kya Hser, 4 acres;
  4. Saw Ta Po Po, 1 acres;
  5. Saw Hay Tha, 7 acres;
  6. Saw Keh Ner, 7 acres;
  7. Saw Say Pay, 4 acres;
  8. Saw Htoo, 9 acres;
  9. Saw Dwe Pyi, 11 acres;
  10. Saw Maw Lay, 5 acres;
  11. Saw Neh Kweh, 11 acres;
  12. Saw Way Way 11 acres;
  13. Saw Ba Chit, 11 acres; and
  14. Saw Hser Wah, 11 acres.

 (Source: CIDKP, 2004)

 

5.10 Situation in Shan State

 

The confiscation of both private and communal land continued to be a major issue in Shan State in 2004.  The Burmese military has significantly expanded its presence in Shan State in the past decade, from approximately 40 battalions and units prior to 1988 to over 100 battalions and units in 2000.  Consequently, large areas of land, especially in rural areas, have been confiscated to accommodate new military battalions in the area. The confiscation of land, together with looting and extortion by the military, has not only deprived many villagers of their livelihood but has also caused significant displacement within the state (source: SHRF, 2004). (Please see chapter on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for more information.)

 

In 2004, residents of Shan State faced ongoing challenges in maintaining their livelihood as both local Peace and Development Council officials and Burmese military personnel continued to extort money from villagers and make demands for unfair taxes.  For instance, residents of Kaeng-Tung town were forced to provide money on several occasions throughout 2004 for various SPDC coordinated events, such as the "District SPDC Cup", a  boxing match, a student tournament and a light festival at the end of the Buddhist Lent period (sources: SHRF, 2004; SHRF, 2005). 

  

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

In August 2004, SPDC troops from IB 296 robbed the villagers of Naa Keng and Nam Paa Man villages, Kaeng Lom village tract, Kun Hing Township, of their property and forced Lung Ti (male, age 44) and Lung Kum-Ma (male, age 45) to accompany them as guides/porters.  The troops looted 10 chickens, 2 viss of cooking oil (1 viss = 1.6 kg) and 1/2 a basket of husked peanut from the house of a villager named Lung Saw.  They then forced Lung Ti and Lung Kum-Ma to guide them to Nam Paa Man village, in the same village tract.  They arrived at Nam Paa Man village after 6:00 pm and ordered the village headman to provide them with a pig and ˝ a basket of husked rice.  The troops also went into a shop belonging to Lung Ta and Pa Suay and looted 10 bottles of whiskey, a box of canned beer and other small items of food. The troops threatened the store owners, saying “We know you open this shop to support the Shan rebels and that you trade in opium and methamphetamine. This is better than arresting you and putting you in jail. Thank us for that.”  The SPDC troops left Nam Paa Man village on the same night forcing the guides/porters they conscripted from Naa Keng to carry their loot for several miles during the night. The porters were only released when the troops reached the main road leading to their camp, a short distance to the east, at Ta Kaw village.  (Source: "Forced Labor and Robbery in Kun-Hing," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, November 2004)

 

In September 2004, a patrol of about 35 SPDC troops from IB 296 led by Captain Maung Win came to Saai Leng village, Kaeng Lom village tract, Kun Hing Township, and forced 2 villagers to serve as guides/porters.  They also looted 15 chickens, weighing about 7 viss (1 viss = 1.6 kg), from the villagers.  The chickens belong to 5 of the villagers, each of whom lost 3 chickens. ("Forced Labor and Robbery in Kun-Hing," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, November 2004)

 

Unfair Taxes and Levies

 

On 15 February 2004, SPDC authorities in Kaeng-Tung town issued an order requiring all the townspeople to contribute money to buy a fire engine for the town. Each household in all the 5 quarters of the town was required to pay 600 kyat. There were about 6,000 households in the town. (Source: "Extortion in Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2005)

 

In mid 2004, SPDC IB 246 and police detained a woman in Kun-Hing Township for having a toy gun in her house and extorted 50,000 kyat for her release. On the day of the incident, a mixed force of 2 policemen and 2 soldiers from IB 246 came to a house belonging to Pa Man (female, age 46) and searched the house, saying that they were informed that opium was sold in the house. After searching the house thoroughly the police and soldiers found no opium but they did find a homemade toy gun made from the stem of an umbrella and accused Pa Man of keeping a gun without permission. Pa Man tried to explain that it was only a toy gun made by her son and that it was not functional. Nonetheless, she was arrested and put in jail and only released after her relatives paid 50,000 kyat as a fine for possessing a gun. (Source: "A Woman Detained, Money Extorted, in Kun-Hing," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, January 2005)

 

On 14 June 2004, SPDC authorities in Kaeng-Tung town forced residents to provide money for organizing a “District SPDC Cup” football tournament. Each of all the households in the town had to contribute 400 kyat towards the tournament. (Source: "Extortion in Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2005)

 

On 1 August 2004, SPDC township authorities in Murng-Ton announced that the military junta would resume the rice procurement policy, starting from February 2005. Village tract headmen from villages in Murng-Ton Township were summoned to a meeting and told that according to orders from higher up farmers in the area would be required to sell their rice quotas to the authorities as before. The SPDC authorities added that they had heard that rice prices had fallen because they had not purchased rice in 2004 and that they would therefore start buying rice again. In fact, restrictions and regulations imposed on farmers and traders had affected farmers throughout 2004.  The SPDC authorities further added that the size of the rice quotas and rice prices would be set at a meeting to be held closer to February 2005. (Source: "Forcible Rice Procurement to Start Again in Murng-Ton," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, November 2004) 

 

In August 2004, SPDC township authorities in Kaeng-Tung issued an order requiring all the primary, middle and high schools in the township to collect money from their students for the funds to organize the 1st term-end student tournament. The tournament was held from 5 August 2004 to 19 September 2004. Each student was required to contribute to the tournament funds according to their grades: 500 kyat for primary schools; 600 kyat for middle schools; and 700 kyat for high schools.  There were 8 primary schools, 7 middle schools and 6 high schools in Kaeng-Tung Township - not including small and remote primary schools - with an average number of not less than 200 students at each school . Owners of sizable shops in the town were also required to provide large bottles of drinking water free of charge for the duration of the tournament. Football games among girl students of high schools were virtually compulsory. Members and officials from all the SPDC departments attended to watch them, including Gen. Khin Zaw himself, the commander of the Special Golden Triangle Regional Command. (Source: "Extortion in Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, November 2004)

 

On 17 October 2004, SPDC authorities in Kaeng-Tung town forced residents to provide money for a light festival at the end of the Buddhist Lent period. Each household in the town had to give 300 kyat to the authorities. (Source: "Extortion in Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2005)

 

On 31 October 2004, Zaai Sai Paan (male, age 36) from Nawng Paan village, Yaang Kaeng village tract, Kaeng-Tung Township, drove his motorcycle to Kaeng-Tung town market. When he reached the checkpoint he was stopped by the policemen taking charge there. The police said they would confiscate the motorcycle because Zaai Sai Paan was driving without a safety helmet and forcibly took it from him. Zaai Sai Paan repeatedly asked the police to give him back his motorcycle saying that nothing was wrong with it and that it had nothing to do with him that he was not wearing a safety helmet. One of the police officers, the leader of the group, became angry and beat and kicked Zaai Sai Paan severely several times until he bled from the wounds in his head and told him to pay a fine of 2,000 kyat if he wanted the motorcycle back. Although he was released with his motorcycle after paying a fine of 2,000 kyat, Zaai Sai Paan had great difficulties driving it because of his injuries from the beating. Fortunately, one of his friends who saw him on the way helped him get to the hospital in Kaeng-Tung town. The wounds in Zaai Sai Paan’s head had to be treated with 7 stitches. Later, he lodged a complaint with the SPDC authorities in Kaeng-Tung town for being unfairly treated by the police officer. No action has been taken regarding the case up to the time of this report, March 2005. (Source: "A Motorcyclist Beaten, Money Extorted, In Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, March 2005)

 

On 8 September 2004, approximately 30 troops from SPDC LIB 524 led by Captain Maung Maung Soe stopped 8 villagers, 3 men and 5 women, from Saai Khaao village in Saai Khoo village tract, Kun-Hing Township, who were on their way to their farms to harvest an early crop of rice. Each village had bought a little amount of uncooked rice that would last about 3 days and 2 nights as they intended to stay at their farms during the harvest. However, before they reached their farms, the patrol from LIB 524 stopped the villagers and searched their bags and pockets. The SPDC troops found only 2,300 kyat and a little amount of uncooked rice on each of the villagers. The soldiers accused the villagers of carrying uncooked rice meant for the Shan soldiers and arrested them. The SPDC troops took the villagers to their base in Kun-Hing town and detained them there. The villagers were then told to send word that they would be released only if their relatives and village leaders came and guaranteed their innocence. When they arrived, however, the relatives and the village leaders were told by the military authorities that the villagers had committed an offense by carrying more food than the amount allowed and that as they may have intended to give it to the Shan soldiers they needed to pay a fine of 10,000 kyat each for their release. After some negotiation during which the villagers pleaded with the authorities to reduce the fine because they could not afford that much money, the villagers were released after paying a fine of 8,000 kyat each. (Source: "Villagers Detained, Money Extorted, in Kun-Hing," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, January 2005)

 

On 6 November 2004, SPDC authorities in Kaeng-Tung town forced residents to provide money for a boxing match. Each of the 5 town quarters was required to pay 6,000 kyat. (Source: "Extortion in Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2005)

 

Crop Destruction

 

In October 2004, SPDC authorities forced villagers from Zawn-Zaw village in Mu-Se Township to destroy 10 acres of their own rice plants in the field near the bridge spanning the Nam Paw River in order to make room for planting soya bean.  The field had been flooded during the early part of the cultivating season and all the rice plants had been destroyed. New seedlings had to be sowed and replanted by the farmers, causing the harvest time to be delayed. On 30 October 2004, before the rice was ripe, the SPDC authorities ordered the farmers to destroy the rice plants and plough the field to grow soya bean. Soya bean was to be planted on 25 acres of land as a model. Fortunately the rest of the land had not been flooded and had already been harvested. One basket of soya bean seeds was required to be planted on each acre of the land and the farmers were forced to buy the seeds from the authorities at the rate of 1,600 kyat per ‘pay’ (1 basket = 16 pay).  (Source: "Forced Labor, Extortion and Crop Destruction in Mu-Se," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2005)

 

Land Confiscation

 

In early 2004, it was reported that the SPDC IB 45 based in Murng-Sart confiscated hundreds of acres of cultivated land belonging to villagers of Kawngmu Tan village, Saai Khaao village tract, Murng-Sart Township. In February 2004, villages going to their farms and vegetable gardens situated to the north and along the Nam Kok river to the south of Kawngmu Tan village were stopped by the SPDC troops of IB 45. The SPDC troops told the villagers that their farms and gardens had been confiscated and that they should find new lands for themselves.  No compensation was provided for the confiscated land and no one dared to complain to the authorities.  Many villagers who had no alternative livelihood moved to other places in search of new land and have become internally displaced.  A small number of villagers have migrated to Thailand. (Source: "Land Confiscation in Murng-Sart," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, September 2004)

 

In early 2004, it was reported that the SPDC IB 66 confiscated a farm from Lung Thun (male, age 49) from Nam-Zarng Township depriving him of his only means of survival and causing him to flee. Lung Thun was originally from Kaeng Kham Awn village in Loi La village tract, Nam-Zarng Township, which had been forcibly relocated to the outskirts of Nam-Zarng town in 1996 by the then SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council). During the relocation, Lung Thun sold most of his possessions and was able to buy a small plot of land to build a house in No. 1 quarter in Nam-Zarng town and a farm outside the town, about 1 ˝ miles east of the base of IB 66. In March 2004, Lung Thun's farm was confiscated by SPDC IB 66 while they were expanding their base to the east.  One month before, Lung Thun was forced to sell 25 out of 60 baskets of his rice to the SPDC authorities at the rate of 400 kyat per basket.  The market rate was 1,500 kyat per basket at the time. Following the confiscation of his land, Lung Thun had no land left to farm and no money to buy a new plot of land. To find a new plot of land in a remote area would be putting oneself at the mercy of the roaming SPDC troops. By July 2004, Lung Thun had run out of rice to feed his family and so they all fled to the Thai border. (Source: "A Farm Confiscated from a Displaced Farmer in Nam-Zarng," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, September 2004)

 

In early 2004, it was reported that the SPDC IB 12 confiscated several cheroot-leaf plantations belonging to villagers of several villages in Sanin village tract, Loi-Lem Township, depriving the villagers of their means of livelihood and causing many to flee. In March 2004, several acres of cheroot-leaf plantations belonging to villagers from Khong Laang, Huay Long, Paang Nim and Kung Ood villages in Sanin village tract, Loi-Lem Township, were confiscated by IB 12 so that they could expand the military base. The villagers, who had grown cheroot leaves as their livelihood for generations, were told by the SPDC troops to find another place and to grow tea instead of cheroot leaves. However, most villagers were unable to find new land as land near the village had been taken by the military and land in far remote areas was designated as off limits by the SPDC authorities.  (Source: "Confiscation of Cheroot-Leaf Plantations in Loi-Lem," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, September 2004)

 

In March 2004, it was reported that Lung Li (male, age 49), a native farmer from Murng-Su village, pleaded with local SPDC troops not to confiscate his 5 acres of rice fields, which he had inherited from his ancestors. The troops agreed not to confiscate his rice fields and extorted 500,000 kyat from Lung Li instead.  However, in late April 2004, a new group of SPDC troops came to replace the local troops and immediately confiscated Lung Wi’s rice fields, saying that it was an order from their superiors. The rice field was then sold by the SPDC troops to members of the UWSA (United Wa State Army) at the rate of 500,000 kyat per acre. When Lung Wi’s mother (age 78) heard the news on 29 April 2004, she was so shocked that she fell down and died instantly while eating a meal with her family. (Source: "Extortion and Land Confiscation in Murng-Su," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, September 2004)

 

In June 2004, SPDC police and village tract authorities confiscated hundreds of acres of woodland and a fish pond belonging to villagers in Kaad Tao village tract, Kaeng Tung Township.  The following acres were confiscated from the following villages:

  1. Yaang Saw village, 100 acres of woodland;
  2. Wan Kawm village, 100 acres of woodland; and
  3. Wan Kwang village, a 500 acre wide fish pond.

The woodland was confiscated for the local police and SPDC authorities and the villagers in Kaad Tao village tract were forced to build fences around it and clear some parts of it for crop cultivation. All the 23 villages in Kaad Tao village tract had to take turns to build the fences and clear the land. Each village was required to work for 3 days. The fish pond at Wan Kwang village, about 500 acres wide, had long been a public pond which every villager could go to fish. However, after it was confiscated the police made it their pond and villagers were banned from fishing in it. (Source: "Confiscation of Woodland and Fish Pond, and Forced Labor, in Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, September 2004)

 

On 8 September 2004, the Commander of the Golden Triangle Special Regional Command, Khin Zaw, issued an order confiscating woodland in Murng Zaem and Murng Laab village tracts, Kaeng-Tung Township.  Woodlands from the following villages in Murng Zame village tract were confiscated:

  1. Ho Kho village,
  2. Murng Zaem village,
  3. Nam Zawm village,
  4. Wan Mai village,
  5. Loi Paang Phaat village and
  6. Tin Loi Muay village.

Woodlands from the following villages in Murng Laab village tract were confiscated:

  1. Wan Kaang,
  2. Wan Sa,
  3. Wan Tawng,
  4. Wan Mai and
  5. Wan Yaang.

The order said that the military needed the land and the wood for the expansion of military bases and people in the area were banned from cutting wood in the area. However, a lot of trees were being cut by SPDC individuals and groups of SPDC soldiers and sold as firewood to the villagers and townspeople almost every day. The same things had already happened to the forests in Murng Khawn village tract in the same township. Not very long ago, SPDC troops of IB 220, LIB 320 and LIB 520, who had set up bases in Murng Khawn village tract, cut away so many trees in the area that almost all the woodlands had turned into bald hills and valleys.  (Source: "Confiscation of Woodland and Destruction of Forest in Kaeng-Tung," SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2005)

 

Forced Sale of Crops

 

On 9 December 2004, SPDC troops from Nam-Zarng Township went to Naa Poi village tract in Lai-Kha Township and forced Kung Sim, Mai Hai and several other villages to sell them rice at a rate much lower than the current market rate. The SPDC troops forced the villagers to sell until they got 500 baskets of rice at the rate of 500 kyat per basket. The market prices were between 1,250 kyat and 1,500 kyat per basket at the time. (Source: "Forced Buying of Rice in Lae-Kham," SHRF, 2005)

 

5.11 Tenasserim Division

 

Note: Mergui-Tavoy District is an area demarcated by the KNU as part of Karen territory. Mergui-Tavoy falls into SPDC demarcated Tenasserim Division and is under the patrol of the 4th Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize Mergui-Tavoy as an official district.

 

Looting and Expropriation of Food and Possessions by the Army

 

On 28 June 2004, SPDC IB 358 led by Commander Win Naing Oo demanded 3 pigs and 30 chickens from Saw Be Koe and 2 pigs from Saw Pah Eh in K' Taw Ni village, Blate, Tavoy District. (Source: BI, 2004)

 

On 29 September 2004, SPDC General Aung Myint Tun from IB 285 with a force of 20 soldiers arrived at Kin Ni village in Pa Law Township, Tenasserim Division, and demanded villagers provide 1 pig weighing 100 viss and 6 chickens weighing 2 viss. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

Unfair Levies and Taxes

 

On 15 September 2004, SPDC LIB 559, under Military Operation 13 led by Commander Bo Aung Soe who campaigns at Thin Baw Eu village in the eastern part of Pa Law Township, demanded that each family in Thin Baw Eu village provide 3 sheets of flatten wood measuring 3 inches x 8 inches and 3 sheets of flatten wood measuring 4 inches x 8 inches to build the monastery at Aung Tha Wara village. The residents had to comply without fail. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

On 23 September 2004, Major Soe Win from LIB 559 under Operation Command 13 arrested motorboat owners Saw Lay Pwey and Saw Swee Swe from Thin Baw Eu village, Tenasserim Division, and demanded 2 pigs weighing 100 kg for his column.  Major Soe Win claimed that the 2 men were suspected of being connected to an opposition group. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

On 29 September 2004, SPDC city authorities demanded that residents from Ka Wet Hta village provide 20 posts, 2 inches round and 20 inches tall, and 6 sheets of flat wood, 12 inches tall, to build the Pa Law township office, Tenasserim Division. The residents had to meet the demands without failure. Other villages in Pa Lauk Township were required to provide the necessary wood for the township office buildings. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

On 6 November 2004, troops from SPDC LIB 40 under Operation Command 8 came to Khaw Htee village in Mergui/Tavoy District and arrested the village head and some villagers. The troops forced the villagers to carry military supplies and did not allow the villagers to go out of the village to harvest their paddy. Moreover, they demanded money from the villagers to finance the purchase of arms. Villagers who could not give any money had to flee and hide in the jungle. Consequently, they have been unable to harvest their paddy crop and are facing many problems. (Source: KIC, 2004)

 

On 10 November 2004, SPDC Operation Command 2, based in the eastern part of Mit Ta vilage, confiscated 5 boats belonging to residents of Mit Ta village to reconstruct the road sites in Mit Ta, Aih Wai, Sin Phyu Tine, Ah Moe and Htee Hta, Mae Tami villages.  The villagers were required to send petrol to Htee Hta village. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

On 12 November 2004 at 11:00 am, Tactical Command 2 based in Tavoy Township confiscated 5 cars belonging to the residents of Tavoy town. They used the cars to transport rations such as 300 packs of rice, 50 viss of fish paste and 20 viss of sugar to Mit Ta village in the eastern part of Tavoy Township. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

On 21 December 2004 at 9:00 am, SPDC IB 104 led by Commander Bo Zeya Aye arrested cattle broker U Maung Thein along with his 30 cattle in Nyaung Chaung Wa village in the eastern part of Tavoy Township. He was arrested while transporting the cattle from Maung Mae Shaung village to the Thai border for trading.  The troops demanded 300,000 kyat to release him. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

On 26 December 2004 at approximately 1:00 pm, SPDC IB 104 led by Commander Bo Zeya Aye arrested U Kya Pu, a cattle trader from Thit To Htauk village, Ye Phyu Township, along with his 70 cows.  He was arrested in the eastern part of Tavoy Township while transporting the cattle from Thit To Htauk village to the Thai border for trading. The company demanded U Kya Pu pay 300,000 kyat for his release. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

On 28 December 2004, SPDC Tactical Command 2 based in Mit Ta village confiscated 6 boats belonging to the villagers. The boats were sent to transport 150 packages of rice for the frontline Tactical Command 1, based at Htee Hta village and under the control of Operation Command 13 from the eastern part of Tha Yet Chaung Township, Tavoy District. (Source: ABSDF, 2004)

 

Crop Destruction

 

From 14 November 2004, SPDC troops led by Commander Kyaw Myo Aung and Commander Way Lin Aung, based at Paw Klo area, Mergui/Tavoy District, did not allow Khaw Htee villagers to harvest their 80 plots of hill paddy fields.  As a result, the crop was ruined. Furthermore, the troops looted 2 cattle from the villagers and burnt down two houses along with all the household possessions. They also destroyed a crop of betel nut. In addition, the troops sold betel nuts from 3 plots of betel nut plantations and paddy from 3 plots of paddy fields. They also looted 400 chickens and merchandise from villagers' shops worth 150,000 kyat. (Source: KIC, 2004)

 

5.12 Interviews

 

Interview # 1

 

Source:                         Human Rights Foundation of Monland

Date of Interview:         First quarter of 2004

Name:                          Name withheld

Age:                             41 years old

Sex:                              Male
Nationality:                   Mon
Address:                       Ye Township, Mon State
Religion:                       Buddhist
Marital status:               Married
Occupation:                  Farmer
 

Q. Why did you leave your home?

A. I’m a farmer and planted betel-nut and rubber trees in my plantation. As the Burmese Army confiscated my lands, I have no work and can not get an income to survive.

 

Q. What did you lose when your land was confiscated?

A. I had 10 acres of land that grow betel-nut trees and rubber trees. Burmese Army LIB No. 591 and No. 583 confiscated my lands. Other villagers also lost land like me. Ms. (name withheld) lost 10 acres of land, Nai (name withheld) lost 3 acres of lands and Nai (name withheld) lost over 10 acres of land. Most of lands were growing rubber trees and a small piece of Ms. (name withheld) land grew betel-nut trees. A second battalion commander, Major Ba Lay, confiscated the lands.

 

Q. Did you receive any compensation?

A. They promised to pay the cost of the lands since they confiscated the lands. However, until now, we have not received any compensation. Last year, they called us again and forced us to sign that we sold the land but they said that would pay next year.

Q. Did you receive compensation and are they allow you to go to your plantation?
A. At first, they allowed us to go our plantation but the army commander instructed that we needed to take permission letters from their bases in Kwan-bae village. We have to pay 500 kyat for permission and 500 kyat for photos. They made a card. They said that if we could not show that we had a permission card they would beat us. They did not allow us to stay over night. Later, we faced a lot of threats and the soldiers also arrested us for porter duty. We are afraid of them. I abandon my plantation.

Q. How much was your land worth?

A. It cost about 1 million kyat but they said it was worth only 737,300 kyat. They said that if other people were paid compensation, I would also be paid.

 

Q. How long ago did you leave your home?

A. One month.

(Source: "Personal Accounts: The Forgotten Mon Refugees," The Mon Forum, HURFOM, 30 Apr 2004)

 

Interview # 2

 

Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld
Age:                             88 years old

Sex:                              Female
Address:                       Withheld
Religion:                       Buddhist
Marital status:               Married, 8 family members
Occupation:                  Farmer
 

Q. Please tell me approximately how much the DKBA has fined you?

A. The DKBA #999, led by Tee Du, including five members who live in Larnay (Kwanbi), arrived at [name of village withheld], and commanded me to meet him. Then they told me to pay 200,000 kyat because they accused me of having contact with KNU (the secretary of Takreh Township.)

 

Q. What was the date of that incident?

A. It was on May 18th, 2004

 

Interview #3


Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld
Age:                             32 years
Sex:                              Female

Village:                         Withheld
Occupation:                  Hillside cultivation
Religion:                       Buddhist

Q. Please explain to us about how the DKBA ate your food without paying anything.
A. The DKBA commander who camped at Sakye Koh commanded chicken from three villages on 2 May 2004. There were two viss from Pakwe Kwi costing 6,000 kyat, 2 viss from Tawekho costing 6,000 kyat and 2 viss from Tokyekwi. The total was around 18,000 kyat for three villages.
 

Q. Did they ask for anything else?
A. Yes, each of the families had to send a piece of bamboo to the DKBA camp. The villages were Ta Wei Kho, Pa Kwe Kwi, To Kye Kwi, Takreh Ni, Hteiper villages. Again, the villagers had to sharpen the pieces of bamboo and bamboo spikes for the camp. They didn't provide any money or food but we had to finish our work and had our meals at home.

 

Interview #4

 

Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld

Age:                             58 years

Family:                         4 members

Occupation:                  Hillside farmer

Religion:                       Buddhist

Q. Please tell me about the DKBA orders given to you.

A. On 13 February 2004, the DKBA company commander, Pa Maw Heh and Kyaw Lay Kin, along with 25 troops, entered into the village and butchered a pig, which cost 8,000 kyat, and then they proceeded to Nyamatay Khi village. Again, on 21 April 2004, another column led by Kaloh, entered into the village at 22:00 hours. Then, they fired 4 rounds of M-79 grenade launchers because they saw a spot of fire under a tree. The next day, they asked for the cost of the five rounds of grenade launchers from the villagers. At that time, they asked again for three chickens, which cost 2,000 kyat, 5 bottles of alcohol which cost 1,500 kyat. After they drank, they proceeded to Nya Ma Tay Khi village.

 

On 27 April 2004, DKBA Saw Wah Dee led his column which was posted at Kwe Baw, Naw Kha-rei Kyo, and entered into May Tu Hta and butchered a pig which cost 6000 kyat. After finishing their meal, they returned to Nya Ma Tay hi village.
 

On 29 April 2004, DKBA Saw Paw Peh led his men to Pay Tu Hta village and butchered a pig which cost 25,000 kyat. They then returned to Nya Ma Tay Khi village.

 

Interview #5

 

Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld

Age:                             57 years
Family:                         6 members
Occupation:                  Hillside cultivation
Religion:                       Buddhist
 

Q. Have the DKBA taken things from your village?

A. On 25 March 2004, the DKBA security officer of #999 Brigade, Saw Paw Peh, came from Mae Tu Hta village with his 20 troops. They entered X-X-X and ate a goat, which cost 13,000 kyat, without payment. Then they proceeded to Nya Ma Tay Khi village.

 

Interview #6

 

Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld

Age:                             60 years

Family:                         6 members

Occupation:                  Farmer
Religion:                       Buddhist
 
Q. Have the DKBA abused you?

A. On 22 April 2004, the DKBA officer in charge, Pa Kadone, burned down my hut as well as one hand saw, 2,000 kyat, one ax, two spades, two swords, some utensils, 2 sarongs, and 4 shirts.

 

Interview #7

 

Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld

Age:                             35 years
Family:                         7 members
Occupation:                  Farmer

Religion:                       Buddhist
 
Q. Please tell me if the DKBA has taken anything from your village?

A. On 19 May 2004, DKBA #999 leader Paw Peh led 7 soldiers and arrived at our village. He told me, "You are illegally giving treatment as a quack doctor" and fined me a goat, which cost 15,000 kyat.

 

Q. What are Paw Peh's responsibilities?

A. He is responsible as a patrolling security officer between Pa Tu Klaw Plaw, Pay Tu Hta, Htimohta, Kwebaw, and Nyamaday Khi villages.


Interview #8

 

Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld

Age:                             50 years
Family:                         13 members
Occupation:                  Farmer

Religion:                       Buddhist
 
Q. Please tell me which DKBA group fined you.

A. On 20 May 2004, the DKBA soldier Paw Peh arrived at our village with seven soldiers and fined me 25,000 kyat and a pig. He told me that I was fishing with a fishing-net with an explosive bomb, therefore I should be fined.


Q. How many people paid fines to him?
A. Saw Pah Lu paid 10,000 kyat, Kyaw Lar paid 7,000 kyat, Taw Nyo paid 2,000 kyat, Tu Lu paid 2,000 kyat, Pee Hki paid 2,000 kyat and Kyaw Lwe paid 2,000 kyat. All together he received about 25,000 kyat.

Interview #9

 

Source:                         Free Burma Rangers

Date of Interview:         May – June 2004

Name:                          Name withheld

Age:                             45 years

Family:                         5 members

Occupation:                  Farmer
Religion:                       Buddhist
 
Q. What was the reason that the DKBA fined you?

A. I asked for a recommendation letter from Pa Daw Bow, who is the commander at Maw Po Kla DKBA post, before I bought an ox from Takaw (Kya Inn) village for my farm work. When I was returning, at Maw Khi, on 10 May 2004, I met the DKBA company commander Mya Win's soldier, Pa Mae Lare. He accused me of smuggling cattle and said I must be fined 50,000 kyat. I replied that I am not a smuggler because this ox would be used on my farm in X-X-X X village and also that I did not have any money to give him. Then, he took me to Maw Khi Burma Army camp and threatened me by shooting a gun into the air. He then fined me 150,000 kyat. He said again that if I couldn't give the money he would take my ox to Maw Po Kla and then to Yaw Po village where he lived. At that moment, he ordered me to hide under a bush because he saw his commander walking towards him. He forbade me to say anything to the commander.


Q. What happened after that?

A. Then I met with their leaders, Pa Dee and Pa Daw Boe. They said to me that they would get the money for me but up to this point I haven't received anything.


Q. Did you want to say anything about that?

A. I don't want people to face the same experiences that I have had. Because the DKBA are also Karen, they should understand that we are the same nation.

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5

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