Update from the border

[brelief@xxxxxxx]

3/6/97 8:21:22 PM
(Sorry this is being posted so late.  We are having trouble sending mail.)
Update from the border


Reports reaching BRC-J indicate that the situation in Pu Nan lung, Kanchanaburi was very difficult. Refugees were suffering a lot of illness, with skin diseases prevalent and an outbreak of cholera (at least ten cases with one death.)  There was a small medical team working office hours in the camp, while the KNU could offer some medical services to its members. 
	All refugees were afraid for  the safety of fathers, brothers, sons as they were separated from male family members who were denied entry into Thailand.  
	All the people were living in great fear. For the past few days, there had been fighting between Slorc and the Thai BPP. On Sunday, the Thai BPP captured two fully-armed Slorc soldiers as they were approaching the camp.  These are the very same soldiers whose incursion and very existence was denied by Slorc during their Monday press conference. 
	Refugees from inside Burma reaching Pu Nan Lung reported numerous human rights violations.
One woman from Phaung Daw village in Ka Set Do township described how Slorc troops gang-raped women from her village.  Men were arrested and forced to work as porters during the operation. Slorc troops searched from house to house and took what they wanted. Looting and killing domestic animals were routine.  One woman was gang-raped in front of her husband and her father while both men's hands were tied.  The rape continued until she was unconscious.  She later died. Afterwards the two men were beaten to death.  Witnesses reported that the Slorc officers said they did not want to waste their bullets so the men were beaten to death instead. 
	Refugees reported that at least ten young women from Ka Nel Khaw were arrested and brought to a military outpost in Ta Mae Hta. They all were gang-raped in the outpost except Naw Phaw Khwar who managed to escape.  
	There were rumors that the refugees would be moved to a new location on Monday; however the move did not take place then.  After the trucks arrived at the camp, the refugees were give only 10 minutes for packing before being loaded on the trucks.  When they asked the drivers where they would be going, even the drivers did not know.   The people were scared to go and immediately unloaded their belongings.  
	The actual relocation took place on Tuesday.   Six trucks arrived in the morning with some Thai officials. After negotiation with Karen community leaders (all women), they agreed to moved to the new place.  It took the whole day to relocate the over 2,500 refugees.  
	The new place is also in Kanchanburi province,  20 kilometers from the Huay Nam Khong Thai village and 5 kilometers from the border. The new place is not perfect for security, but seems better than the old place in Pu Lam Lung. 
	When the first trucks arrived, there was nothing except the lake nearby.  All the refugees were dumped in the forest. 
	It isn't certain how long the refugees will be staying in the new place. Thai authorities said they would allow NGOs to provide assistance to them but we have no further information on that at this time.