NEWS from the Front - 8 HILLTRIBLE

[Rangoonp@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS from the Front - 8 HILLTRIBLE PEOPLE BEATEN TO DEATH BY JUNTA

SPLD-IERS
To: burmanews@xxxxxxxxx, "Burma Net-l @igc.apc.org" <burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx>,
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 4.0
X-Sender: strider@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

8 HILLTRIBLE PEOPLE BEATEN TO DEATH BY JUNTA SPLD-IERS
  A source from Chiangrai reported yesterday that a Burmese patrol
combing the hills for Shan
  rebels beat 8 hilltribe villagers to death.
  According to the source, a column from LB 330 commanded by Maj. Thet
Way, surrounded the
  villages of Nakae, Palarng Long, Palarng Noi, Phakhao Tai west of
Tachilek on 5 May. It was
  accompanied by an ex-MTA officer, Yishay and his group who, since Khun
Sa's surrender three
  years earlier, have become a militia unit.
  A village headman, Ah Ka, his interpretier, Ah Tae, and 6 other
villagers who were suspected
  of aiding the rebels were tortured and beaten to death. Nakae is
populated by members of the
  Lahu tribe and also by Akha.
  The Shan States Army's eastem force, commanded by Maj. Kham Famuang,
is active in the area
  which covers Mongsart, Mongpyak and Tachilek townships.