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ABSDF NEWS AGENCY (r)



Unpaid labor at the military bases in Thetyetchaung,Tavoy district 
	Daily unpaid labor is being summoned by the 13 Battalions based in
four Tavoy townships. All the villages are ordered to send the daily
laborers to the bases to work various jobs for the military such as
building up the army barracks and fences, digging the trench and toilets,
cultivating the vegetables, helping in animal husbandry, taking security
guards and giving massage service to the army officers in the camp. 
	Villagers are summoned to go and work at the military bases daily.
Anyone fail to do will be arrested and used as the porters or ordered to
pay 100 kyats per day for fine.  Additionally, the villages closed to the
bases are ordered to provide two pigs and ten chickens per week regularly. 
	The worst villages for this kind of forced labor overtly military
purpose are Kyauk Hlaykha, Saw Pyar, Padak Chaung, Kyauk Pyu and Thaung
Zin village in Tayetchaung Township.  Twenty laborers from every each
village have to work at Battalion No(403) base and also have to supply the
bamboo and thatch for the barracks. If they fail, these villages would be
relocated in the concentration village, near Saw Pyar village as the
punishment, according to the letter issued by the Slorc. These villages
faced the orced relocation previously to this concentration camp in June
1991 until the beginning of 1995 for accusing having contact with KNU and
ABSDF forces. 
	Similarly, ten villages from Taung Pyauk district, Thatyetchaung
township were ordered to work for the construction of military parade
field and training center near Than Chaung Gyi village for LIB 405, 404,
403 of Slorc army. Local villagers have to go and work without pay once a
week starting from September 4, 1995. The main works are cut the trees and
bamboo, and make the ground level. 
 
Rape and beating  
	On October 28, 1995, warrant officer Aung Gyi from LIB(103) based
in Palaw township, Tenessarim Division raped Ma San from Kyauk Taung Talai
Taik village.  The village LORC was ordered to send Ma San to Thara Bwin
village by warrant officer Aung Gyi for interrogation. When she arrived
there, she was ordered to come to Ko Aung Tins house and was raped by
warrant officer Aung Gyi.  She is 35-year-old and married with three
children. This rape case spread in the next day among the local people so
that warrant officer Aung Gyi got angry. He came on October 28 at night
and beat Ma San with bamboo stick in front of the mini video theater. He
accused Ma San was making up a false story to defame him. 
 
More forced labor in Mergui motor road projects 
	Slorc has resumed the motor road construction projects since after
the end of raining season. In Mergui, Tenessarim Division, three motor
road projects are underway and local people are being conscripted as the
unpaid labors for these projects.  These motor road constructions are;
between Kaw Thaung and Mergui, between Maw Taung (closed to Thai-Burmese
border) and Mergui, and between Theindaw diamond mine and Tenessarim town. 
	Local people from Palaw, Mergui, Tenessarim, Boke Pyin and Kaw
Thaung were conscripted for these constructions without any pay. Like
other forced labor projects, they had to bring their instruments and food
to the work-site and work at least fifteen day in one time. 1500 people
from each townships in Mergui and Kaw Thaung district are summoned to
these three construction projects and about 10,000 people are currently
working. Every person are subject for forced labor and many types of
taxation except the USDA (Union Solidarity and Development Association)
members. Anyone those fails to work has to pay 100 kyats per day for fine.
In addition to these three major projects, all the roads and streets in
downtown Mergui are being renovated with forced laborers.  Another motor
road project of Mergui-Kyel Ku road is also underway with about 300 prison
laborers. 
	As the result of constructions, many lands and farms were
confiscated and some faced forced relocation at Takyat, Taru, Talabwin,
Ban Pweit, Thein Taw, Sin Din, Zawel, Maw Tong, Nyaung Pin Kwin and Ta Baw
Late village in Mergui district. 
	All of these projects are monitored by the Tenessarim Division Law
and Order Restoration Council and Infantry Division 17, 101, 103, 224 and
Light Infantry Battalion 433, 442,358, 343 are taking security duty. 
	Among the three motor road, the Maw Taung - Mergui road is likely
to be used for the another natural gas pipe from Ye Dagon off-shore field
by Texaco giant American Oil Company. 
 
Deteriorating life of Burmese fishermen in Tenessarim Coast
	Since Slorc began to sell the fishing licenses to the Thai fishing
company in the Burmese water territory, the life of Burmese traditional
fishermen is deteriorating in Tenessarim coast. Many Thai fishing vessels
fish close to the coast in shallow waters, and exploit the areas
traditionally fished by the local people. The Burmese fishing community in
Tenessarim Coast who have relied on local fishing resources for
generations are now literally facing starvation.Many of these villagers,
displaced by the activities of the Thai fishing boats, have been forced to
move inland to seek a new livelihood.  Many fishermen could not meet their
daily need so they moved to other places working all odd jobs.  Compared
to the small vessels and locally produced fishing gear, used by the local
fishing community, the Thai vessels with their modern sonar and radar
equipment and electronic communications facilities completely change the
nature of catching fish.  Heavy mining of the seas has been reported
killing all species in the area, and destroying the ecosystem for years to
come. 
	After the brutal murder of Burmese fishermen by the Thai
counterparts on the vessel, Burmese authorities has stopped issuing new
contract or extend their licenses to the Thai fishing companies.  But the
recently resumed the fishing licenses in the beginning of November with
some restrictions.  Previously Thai fishing vessels could fish and sell
without any restriction after the pay tax to the Burmese fishing
authority. According to the new regulation, all foreign fishing vessels
operating in Burmese waters have to be scrutinized one by one and have to
sell the fishes to the Burmese fish buying centers designated by the
authorities. Any vessels found beyond the permitted waters would be shot,
the new regulations detailed. 
	In reality, none of these regulations are adhered to. Hundreds of
Thai fishing vessels are using one official license and duplicate to other
vessel numbering from 6 to 10 vessels with same size and same name. Many
are working illegally in Burmese waters and sometimes reach as far as Mon
State. they sells very small amount of fishes to the Burmese authorities
as mentioned in the regulation. Large amount of fishes are smuggled out by
the Thai illegal vessels and sold in Ranong. 
 
Two forced laborers drown in Hein Zel camp 
	Two laborers were drown in Hein Zel stream because of the force
order by the Slorc army to swim across the stream as the punishment for
taking rest during the working hour. According to the civilians returned
back from the Hein Zel forced labor camp, which is one of the forced labor
camps in the Ye-Tavoy railway construction project, three male laborers
were punished to cross the stream for taking unauthorized rest during the
working hour. The order was conducted by army official LIB (410) and
occurred on September 22, 1995. Fortunately one man could managed to swim
across but the other two were drown in the stream.  KNU Information
sub-department, Mergui-Tavoy district. 
 
Update on the forced labor detention camps in Ye-Tavoy railway 
construction 
	According to the civilians returned back from the forced labor
detention camp, the railway project has been resumed and every four
townships from Tavoy district has to send 2500-3000 laborers for the
construction in rotating system. 
	Currently there are eleven labor detention camps and the estimate
numbers of laborers in the camps as of October 3`, 1995 are ;  (1) 21-mile
labor camp 2000 laborers (2) 27-mile labor camp 3000 laborers (3) 30-mile
labor camp 1000 laborers and 500 prison laborers (4) 36-mile labor camp
900 laborers (5) Hein Zel labor camp 1700 laborers (6) Nhine Kyel labor
camp 1000 laborers (7) Nwe Lein labor camp 1200 laborers (8) Zin Bar labor
camp 1200 laborers and 300 prison laborers (9) Yar Phu labor camp 1000
laborers (10) Kyauk Kadin labor camp 1200 laborers (11) Ye Bone labor camp
500 laborers (newly established)
	In 30-mile labor camp which is the labor camp of approximately 500
prison laborers, the working and living situation are severely bad.
Between June and October 1995, about 40 prison laborers were killed for
the hard working condition. Other 30 prison laborers attempted to escape
and at least five were shot down and killed by the LIB 406 which is taking
security guard in that camp. On October 21, 1995, four prison laborers
from same camp fled from the camp. One prisoner was shot down and three
escaped. 
	Similarly, on October 4, 1995, some civilians from 21-mile labor
detention camp escaped from the camp to their villages in Thetyetchaung
township. The Slorc army issued a warrant for the escapees and searching
for them. 
	25 out of 27 forced laborers from Hein Zel labor camp escaped in
Tavoy while they were being taken to Tavoy for carrying some materials to
the camp.  All of these were originally from Laung Lon township. they were
searched for and arrested by the Slorc and now they have been sentenced to
six months imprisonment with hard labor.  KNU Information sub-department,
Mergui-Tavoy district. 
 
Forced conscription in the labor camps 
	The military recruitment division based in Tavoy district went to
the forced labor camps in its region and recruited the youth aged between
16 to 22 years whose term are almost finished to join the army. Six youths
from 36-mile camp, eight youths from Nwe Lein camp and 15 youths and
inmates from 21-mile camp were forcibly conscripted.  KNU Information
sub-department, Mergui-Tavoy district
 
More new forms of taxation in Shan State	 
	All people from the whole Phae Khone Township of Shan State were
forced to buy 90 horses, November 1995 as the deadline, according to the
order by local SLORCs army. People were ordered to collect money that is
equal to the prices of 90 horses. In order to do the order, all households
from every wards Phae Khone Town are subject to pay at least 350 Kyats.
Some households in the low populated wards had to pay more. 
	Similarly, the people of Phae Khone Township must pay 300,000
kyats for the benefit of Students Sports Festival as well. The people from
five quarters of Phae Khone Township including Nyaung Gon quarter, in
spite of poor living, were subject to pay against their will both porter
fees and sports festival fees. 
 
Escape of female porters from Slorcs military column 
	SLORCs troops have been conscripting not only men but women to use
as porters during the military operation in Karen State. Military column
of LIB No.  340 based in Pa Pon Township headed for the KNUs Kyauk Nyat
area on November 9, 1995, 60 male porters and 40 female porters have been
conscripted for military purposes. During their time as porters, female
porters were forced to carry 10 Pyi of rice ( about 13 Kilogram ). 
	Four male porters and ten female porters from that column escaped
while they took a rest at Perhike camp and arrived liberated area. Naw
Htoo Chel (a ) Ma Aye Aye Cho, 16-year-old, schoolgirl of eight standard,
is one of the escapees.  Her brother is a medic from DKBO and currently
staying in the monastery compound of Myaing Gyi Ngu abbot who is believed,
according to her, a leader of DKBO. She said that she was caught by LIB
340 on her trip despite she had the travel document issued by DKBO. Five
men and fifteen women were also arrested along with her and conscripted as
the porter for the military column. 
 
SLORCs student sports festival and atmospheres of Loikaw 
	It is reportedly known that sixth anniversary of student sports
festival will be held between 5 to 14 December 1995, in Loikaw, Karenni
State. The students from High Schools and Middle Schools of Loikaw Town
were selected for the opening and closing ceremonies of student sports
festival since first week of September. They had to rehearse for festival
that caused their absence at their school. It is warned by local SLORC
authorities that the students those who failed to do this assigned duties
shall not be allowed to enter the final examination and their parents will
be punished.  
	Moreover, governmen servants, students and civilians from village
had to share cash or crops so that the festival will be accomplished. As
for the beautification purpose for the festival, the people were forced to
contribute their labor everyday in cleaning, painting, building fences and
extending the roads. Under the name of self-help program, they collected
money only from the public by force from 250 Kyats to 350 per household,
without spending any government budget for the cost of repair and
beautification of the city. As the result of forced contribution and labor
for the beautification, on 3 November 1995, opening sessions of self-help
road construction programs in Min Su, Shan Su, Daw Notu and Daw Tama,
Damayone ward were held. 
	Slorc also took the security measure for the Student Sport
Festival by reinforcing their military strength in Loikaw and arrested
some youth. Now Slorc has reinforced five battalions in Loikaw and
arrested about 50 youth and students. Among the arrested persons, Maung
Taw, high school student from State High School No(1) Loikaw was included.
All of them would be detained until the festival is over without any
charge. 
		 
Second talks of KNPP with SLORC 
	Five-member delegation of KNPP led by Khu Oorel, Karenni minister
for information, arrived Rangoon on 14 November 1995 to discuss with SLORC
military officials about the matters relating to the hostile relation that
occurred after their signing cease-fire agreement. Khu Oorel is the leader
of the delegation that comprised five members who are minister for
education, minister for home affairs, Lt.Col Richard and Staff of office. 
	The delegation met some chief of staff officials led by Col. Kyaw
Win, Deputy Director General of SLORC military intelligent bureau, and Lt.
Col Kyaw Thein, Chief officer for military strategy observation bureau, at
Dagon avenue, Army Guest house on 21 November 1995. 
	In the meeting KNPP delegates asserted that both side should have
clear control area in Karenni state and should resume cease-fire with
mutual recognition and understanding. In their response, SLORC said that
the main cause of the misunderstanding is logging concessions in Karenni
State and they deployed more troops at Karenni territory to prevent
exploitation by Thai illegal logging companies and to ensure the security
as well. As a consequence, the fighting occurred because of
misunderstanding on their military deployment, said the SLORC
officials.Moreover, SLORC officials said it is impossible to withdraw the
troops at the moment and regular mutual discussion is necessary till
reconciliation is achieved. 
	As a further step, Karenni delegates requested to set free the
three detainees from KNPP. It is expected that another senior delegates
will be sent to discuss with SLORC about the troops deployment in Karenni
territory, future development and business but schedule has yet to be set.
The matter regarding the delegation of peace talks process will be put
agenda on the emergency meeting of KNPP central committee. The delegation
of KNPP arrived back to Headquarters on 26 November 1995. 
 
The plight of Burmese students in SDC 
	Total 30 Burmese students are still behind the bars at Thai
Special Detenion Center, Bangkok.  Even though, twenty students recently
released and sent to the safe area in Ratchaburi Province in November
1995, there are 30 students currently still remain behind the bars of
detention cells in SDC. 
	Among the students still in the SDC, Toe Kyi and Tin Maung Htoo,
both of them are leaders of All Burma Basic Education Students Union
(Thailand) were arrested together with other eleven students on December
3, 1993 in Bangkok. Now the time in the SDC is more than two year for
them. They were arrested by the Thai police while they were attending the
Conference on the Human Rights in Burma organized by the Students
Federation in Thailand (SFT), Action Committee for Democracy in Burma
(ACDB) and Students Committee for Human Rights in Burma (SCHRB). 
	All the thirteen students were sent to Immigrantion Detention
Center in Bangkok a were held for two months. They were informed that they
were charged for the illegal entry to Thailand under the Immigration Act.
On February 4, 1994 all of them were transferred to the Special Detention
Center. They have never been sent to trial or sentenced. They were joined
by the students arrested in front of the Burmese embassy in 1994 and those
from the safe area arrested after the march-out from the camp on January
15, 1995. 
	The life in the SDC is terrible. No one were allowed to see
visitors except the once-a-week visit by medical doctor from the
Foundation in Support of Refugees asstiacne in Thailand (FISRAPT), an
affiliated organization with United Nations Bangkok.  They were separately
detained in the small cells in groups. No physical exercise was allowed to
some students. One Student from the SDC, Zaw Moe died in the police
hospital on 13 June 1995. He suffered from brain neaurasthenia which
caused half-body paralyse two weeks before he passed away. Medical doctor
from the FISRAPT came and visited on 8 June 1995 and recommended the
police to send him to the hospital.  But he was finally sent to the
hospital just a day before of his death when his condition was in final
condition. 
	Some students left for the third countries under the refugee
resettlement program and recentlt ten students were transferred to "safe
area" on 19 October 1995.  Another group of ten students were also
transferred to "safe area" on 23 November 1995. All of them told their
terrible stories during their time in SDC. Among them, Maung Maung Oo is
now suffering some mental prblems in "safe area". The the fate of the
remaining students are unknown. 
	The names of the students in SDC are: (1) Tin Maung Htoo (2) Toe
Kyi (3) Myint Soe (4)Aung Kyaw Moe (5) Win Myint (a) Phone Gyi (6) Ye Moe
(7) Aung Myint Kyi (8) Win Htut (a) EC (9) Shwe Hla (10) Kyi Win (11)
Myint Lwin Oo (12) Aung Zaw (a) Ottama (13) Min Khin Kyaw (14) Than Naing
(15) Ye Hein (16) Tin Kyaing (17) San Oo (a) San Shar (18) Min Naing Aung
(19) Naing Htun (20) Tint Lwin Oo (21) Aung Naing (22) Aung Htun (23) Han
Thein (24) Win Naing Htun (25) Thet Oo Naing (26) Soe Min (a) Kyaw Soe
(27) Nyi Nyi Lwin (28) nanda Kyaw (29) Thant Zin Htun (30) Myint Ko Ko.