KNU Press Release No. 3/97

[So_Nou@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

KNU PRESS RELEASE NO. 3/97

February 28,1997

REGARDING THE  1997 SLORC OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KNU

In addition to launching a major offensive against the KNU/KNLA 6th Brigade
in Moulamein district and the 4th Brigade in Mergui-Tavoy district, the SLORC
has been launching military offensives against the other KNLA brigades in the
remaining KNU base areas. Reports on battles and the activities of the SLORC
in the 2nd Brigade area in Toungoo and Pyinmana districts are as follows:

* On February 7,1997, the Southern Military Command (SMC) of the SLORC
forcibly formed militia units in all Karen villages, on or near the
Toungoo-Mawchi road, starting from the Toungoo 13th mile to Kawthedoe
village.

* On February 11,1997, at 9 a.m. KNLA troops clashed with the SLORC troops
from light Infantary Battalion (LIB) 354 at a location known as Patamangon. 
               No casualty on KNLA side. Casualty on enemy side still
unknown.
               Starting from Feburary 14,1997, the SLORC's Southern Military
Command(SMC) has been sending spies disguised as  Buddhist monks to Bawgali,
Kawthedoe, Thandaung, Leiktho, the 13th Mile and other Karen towns and
villagers in Toungoo district.

* On February 16,1997, KNLA troops attacked SLORC troops building roads
between Thakwisoe and Buklo villages. No casualty on KNLA side. Casualty on
SLORC side still unknown. 

* On February 19,1997, at 11 a.m, KNLA troops clashed with troops from SLORC
LIB 354 near Yegando village in east Pyinmana district. No casualty on KNLA
side. 
Casualty on SLORC side still not known.

* On February 20,1997, the SLORC's SMC reinforced its units in the hills, in
the eastern part of Pyinmana district. Troops from Infantary Battalion (IB)
34 of the SLORC arrested Karens from hill villages in the eastern part of
Tantabin township of Toungoo district, if they were found to be carrying food
with them. They were released only on payment of 2,000 Kyat fine.

* SLORC IB 34 ordered four Karen villages of Shazeebo, Yeshan, Zeebyergon and
Tawgoo to send 25 men per month to serve as porters for it. In addition, the
troops forcibly demanded from 1,000 to 2,000 Kyats from each household.
Sometimes, the enemy troops arbitrarily arrested the villagers and demanded
2,000 Kyats for release. At present, the SLORC IB 35 is moving among Karen
villages in the hills in the easterm part of Tantabin township and
ill-treating the villagers.

KNU Information Center



'





















 


______________________________________________________________________________
| SalaThai, Bangkok, Thailand - A FirstClass Network - Tel: (662) 679-8382   |
|      BBS: (662) 679-8380 (18 lines)   http://www.icn.net/SalaThai.html     |
|    Please address any problems and questions to postmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxx    |
______________________________________________________________________________