Alert! Help for Shan, Pa-O, Palaung

[shan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

ALERT! HELP FOR REFUGEES
(REFUGEES'SITUATION OF HO MURNG, MAE HONG SON BORDER AREA)

6 March 98

Alert concerning the situation of Shan refugees in northern Mae Hong Son
province.

Between 12-13 Feb 98, 457 refugees from Shan, Pa-O and Palaung village in
the area of Ho Murng fled into Bangmapha District of Mae Hong Son following
fighting between the Shan States Army and SPDC troops. These refugees
gathered at the village of Bang Yon, approximately 2 kms inside the Thai
border. Up until now, the Thai authorities have refused to allow NGOs to
provide the refugees with humanitarian assistance.

Beginning on 24 Feb, SPDC troops began entering Thailand in apparent
pursuit of the refugees. By 27 Feb, approximately 300 troops had entered at
three different places. At two of the border points, opposite Bang Yon and
Toong Na, these troops have planted mines inside Thailand.

Thai authorities have negotiated with the SPDC troops several times to
retreat, but at one site there are still 40-50 troops 2 kms inside
Thailand, and at the other two crossing points the troops remain right on
the border. There is no security being provided to the refugees. There are
only about 30 Thai Rangers stationed at the village of Boong Yam, 7 km to
the south of the refugee site.

The following actions are strongly urged:

1 .	Security must be provided for these refugees.
2 .	NGOs must be allowed to provide humanitarian assistance to these refugees.

>From a reporter of S.H.A.N.