No Subject Given

[hswd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

<underline>Forced relocation in  Pa-an district

</underline>

Documented by Health Workers Union (Pa-an district)

19 September, 1998


The SPDC's Aung Moe Haing operation, which aims to relocate villages in
the Dawna range, started in late August 1998. The operation is employing
Division No. 44, commanded by Division Commander Toe Aung.  Light
Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 3, LIB 9, LIB 118 and Infantry Battalion No.
81 (totalling about 900 soldiers) are being employed in Pine Kyone
township and the rest of the Division's battalions have been sent to the
area between Myawaddy and Pine Kyone for the same purpose.  According to
escaped porters, each battalion has brought 100 to 200 landmines (types
MM1 and MM2 made by the SPDC army) to plant along the Thai-Burma border
and even at some places in Thailand.


It is confirmed that Mae La-a, Mae Keh and  Wah Mee Kho villages have
been burned down since the start of September. The villages of Mae La-a
Khee, Wah Mee Klar, Htee Ka Haw, Pali Pu, Po Paw Lay, Nei Po Khee,  Klay
Po Klo and Ma Oh Pu are also believed to have been destroyed.  LIB No. 9,
which destroyed Mae La-a and Mae Keh villages, looted villagers' property
and killed all livestock before setting the villages alight.  In the
process, the soldiers of LIB No. 9 also burned down a clinic and a
school.

  

As a result, about two thousand villagers have fled to the border and are
trying to find asylum in Thailand.  An estimated 4,000 villagers are
still trapped in the jungle.  Facing the rainy season, with landmines on
many pathways and without any food, the villagers still trapped inside
Burma are in a very bad situation.  In some places, Karen guerrillas have
started clearing landmines to help the trapped villagers.

************ 

The following is the translation of a relocation order sent to villages
in Kawkareik and Myawaddy townships by LIB 104, which is part of 44
Division (the order was not dated other than '1998 August'). 


                                                                         
        Front Line Light InfantryBattalion No. (104)

Pakalu village

Ref. No.  104 / 02 / Oo 1

Date. 1998 August 


To


Chairman

<underline>( deleted )  </underline> village


Subject:  Order to vacate issued to the villages.


1. Order has been issued to the <underline>(deleted )   
</underline>village to vacate the place and move to Kwih Lay village or
to any other place where the villagers have relatives, at the latest by
10th September 1998.

2. After the date of issue of this order, it is warned that the Army will
go around clearing the area and should any village or small huts in the
paddy fields be found still standing, they will all be dismantled and
destroyed.



Sd. xxxxxx

(for) Battalion Commander

Front line, Light Infantry Battalion No.104