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CHRO News: September 1999



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			       Rhododendron News Bulletin
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				Chin Human Rights Organization
		    50 Bell Street, North #2, Ottawa. ON K1R 7C7, Canada
		      Ph\Fx : 613 234 2485 Email : chokhlei@xxxxxxxxxxx								  
http://www.chro.org
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		     Volume II No.7                        September 1999
		    =====================================================


		Civilians held responsible for disappearance of army personnel
                
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		( Burmese soldiers tortured villages' headmen in Chin State).

	On 26/6/1999 a company of Burmese Army comprising of 34 soldiers led by 2nd 
Lieutenant Myo Kyaw from LIB 266 stationed at Lungler Camp set off for Lung 
Ding village from Lungler.

	On their way to Tlangpi village on 27/6/1999, one army personel disappeared 
half way. Stunned by the sudden disappearance, the 2nd Battalion Commander 
Major Khin Maung Ye, then, led the search for the lost soldier. According to 
a villager of Tlangpi, Pu LianMang (name changed), the Major held Tlangpi 
villagers responsible for the soldier's disappearance, since the place where 
the soldier was believed to be disappeared was in Tlangpi area.

	Moreover, villagers from Dawn, Bung Khua, Zang Tlang and Tlangpi were 
forcibly taken to Lungler to construct road between Lungler and Fung Kah 
village without payment. The villagers had to give a total of Kyats 300000 
to the Major as a ransom for their release, with Dawn and Bung Khua 
contributing Kyats 120000 each and Zang Tlang village Kyats 80000.

	Unable to afford for the ransom, Tlangpi villagers are still being held at 
Lungler army camp and are being engaged in the forced labor. The Major also 
took control of the entire rations that the villagers had brought for 
themselves and gave them on a limited scale. The villagers had to stay 
hungry as they were given only 34 cups (small milk can) of rice for a day.

	Heavily guarded by the soldiers, the villagers are threatened that the 
entire villagers will be punished if anyone attempted to escape. All males 
in the village have been held and are now in the forced labor camp, as the 
soldiers are suspicious that some villagers might ran away whenever they 
arrived in the village. " The villagers could have been released if they 
could pay the ransom. But the village is facing financial problems and still 
had to work", said Pu Lian Mang.

	The work started from 5 a.m. in the morning till 5 p.m. in the evening. In 
a bid to block the soldier who was believed to be defected, from sneaking 
into India, ferrymen in two major routes to Farkawn (Mizoram), 
India-Tlanglo(Burma) and Tlangpi-Thekte (Mizoram, India) - were detained and 
their ferries were confiscated.

	Pu Biak Lawm, Pu Van Thleng and Pu Leng Ling were among the detainees who 
were taken to Hakha Army Headquarters and put in jail. They are yet to be 
released, as they have no money to bribe. The blockade of Tio river and 
absence of ferry service had led to the drowning of Salai Tluang Sawm and 
Mai Siang Zi (school girls) who attempted to cross the flooded river 
on19/7/1999.

	The Chairman and members of Village PDC, all of them 8, are also arrested 
and jailed in Hakha prison on account of being responsible for the 
disappearance of the soldier. The members  are Pu Tial Awr, Village PDC 
chairman, Pu Ral Lian Kap, Pu Hnok Kio, Pu Lian Kham, Pu Kap Lian, Salai 
Peng Thang and two other villagers. They were subjected to several beatings 
with baton on their feet. Because of these severe torture, they are now 
unable to walk.

	During the torture, the Chairman's calf was pierced with a-4-inch heated 
nail at least 20 times that his feet were completely maimed. He had to be 
carried by other people with his hands tied up in the back whenever he was 
summoned to the Army camp in the hilltop.

	The fates of the eight victims are unpredictable.Other 7 members apart from 
the Chairman are likely to be able to release on giving bribes to the army 
authorities.

	None of them, however, cannot afford it and has to remain in jail. Tlangpi 
villagers are in dilemma as to how to deal with the 34 villagers being 
detained in Lungler camp, as well as the 8 village council members being 
jailed in Hakha and the two villagers drowned while crossing Tio River.
	They are still busy trying to collect the ransom money for the release of 
the Village Council members. There is still another major problem for 
civilians, landmines are being planted by the SPDC troops in areas like 
Leilet village in Falam Township and along the Mizoram borders of Thantlang 
areas.

	According to disclosure of residents of Thantlang township areas, a 
landmine was found during the month of February1999. Although the primary 
purpose of planting landmines in these areas is to prohibit the movement of 
Chin National Army, civilians are rather being impacted. It is estimated 
that as many as 30 landmines have been laid in the area.
Date of receiving report :23 July 1999.


		Soldiers  Extorted Domestic Animals in Falam Township
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Name			: Hrelian
Occupation		: Farmer
Place			: Lungpi, Falam township

	A troop of 10 soldiers from LIB (268) Falam Battalion led by 2nd Lt. Khin 
Than was posted in Lungpi village of  Falam township to collect fire woods 
for brick kiln. The soldiers ordered nearby villages Mangkheng, Rialti, 
Lungpi, Lungrang and Thlanrawn to provide two chickens per week to the 
soldiers without fail.

	Since the villagers can not afford to provide the requested chickens, they 
went to Falam and complained to the Battalion Commander. As soon as the 
Battalion commander received the complain, he sent a group of soldiers to 
the said villages. The soldiers entered village by village and took all the 
chickens ( no matter big or small ) by force. The villagers were pointed 
with guns when they tried to prevent them. Besides, the villagers were 
ordered to weave baskets to keep the chickens. After that the soldiers 
collected porters to carry the chickens that they had looted.

	PDCs chairmen from Lungpi, Mangkheng, Thlanrawn, Rialti and Lungrang 
villages went to the commander of LIB 268 and report the incident. However, 
the Battalion commander threatened them that the civillians have 
responsibility to feed the army and have no rights to complain or take  any 
action on the army. If any body create trouble to the army, the whole 
village or town has to suffer.



			Burmese troops terrorized Indian villagers
                        ==========================================


	12 Burmese soldiers led by Sergeant Tin Oong (Ration Supply Unit) under 
company 2 commander, Lt. Myo Kyaw from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)268 
based at Falam, Chin State made their way to patrolling the Indo-Burma 
borders on 15 July 1999. During such operations the soldiers usually carried 
out brutal acts against the civilains.

	Pu Suan Do (name changed) and 5 other traders from Kui Thang village of 
Tiddim Township (Chin State) were at that time setting off for Mizoram State 
of India to sell 10 pigs and 18 chickens. These pigs and chickens were sold 
to Zote villagers of Mizoram State who received them at Tio River, which 
borders India and Burma.

	On hearing this news, the Sergeant immediately chased the Indian villagers 
who just bought the pigs and chickens up to one mile inside the Indian 
Territory and forcibly took one pig worth 20000 kyats, one chicken worth 
1000 kyats in Burmese currency, and Rs.500 in Indian currency in cash from 
them.

	According to the Nu Biaki(one of the traders), the soldiers killed and ate 
a pig at FarTlang village in Tidim Township. The Mizoram public was enraged 
over the conduct of the Burmese troops looting and extorting money inside 
their territory. Making an excuse to clear suspected Chin National Army's 
bases around the areas, the sergeant-led company had been carrying out 
extortion and confiscation.

	Such brutalities in the border have prompted the Indian Army and Mizoram 
armed police to carry out fresh operation against the Chin National Army, 
which has been leading armed resistant movement against the Rangoon 
government for democracy and self-determination for the Chins. It is being 
observed with great concern that the Chin peoples in these areas, who solely 
depend on selling livestock to Mizoram, will face severe hardship if the 
Burmese troops continue to commit intrusion and brutalities in the Indian 
side.
	Date of receiving report : 23 July 1999



		Civilians engaged in road construction as forced laborers
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Date of interview 	: 4.7.99
Name			: Ngun Hmung (Village tract chairman)
Age 			: 40
Gender			: Male
Occupation 		: Farmer
Village 		: Khua Bung (A), Thantlang Township, Chin State
Nationality 		: Chin
Religion 		: Christian
Family member		: 8 including 6 Children

	By using the name of " Border Trade between India and Burma" the millitary 
government of Burma, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), constructed 
roads merely for better links between army camps in the border areas. The 
junta forced the people to construct road between Hriphi army camp and newly 
constructed Vuangtu camp, which is 13 miles in distance. One thousands 
villagers from the surrounding 30 villages were working for this 
construction as forced laborers. Moreover, these laborers had to carry their 
own tools, equipments and ration supplies during the road construction, 
which lasted from 1st February to the first week of June. The soldiers 
guarded the laborers and threatened that the entire concerned villages will 
be punished if anyone from any village ran away from the work site. The 
laborers were forced to work from dawn to dusk and were allowed to sleep 
only by their respective work sites where the soldiers assigned them. No 
medical treatment was given to the sick during the construction.

	The army allotted the work to each village and the villagers were forced to 
finish their allotted work before the first week of June that started from 
March 23. Major Khin Maung Ye, from Company 2 of Hriphi Camp and 2nd 
Battalion Commander of LIB 268 stationed in Falam, was directed to supervise 
the construction. Known among his inferiors who helped supervise the 
construction were Sergeant Nyo Win, Corporal Win Kyiang and Corp. Soe Myint.

	Firing 5 or 6 shots in the air the Major would often threaten the tired 
laborers with dire consequences if they did not follow his instruction. 
Therefore no one dare to complain their tiredness and had to stay calm. 
Sometimes the laborers were even robbed of their rations such as rice, dried 
meats that they brought from the village.

	The soldiers also stole five hoes from the laborers, which were brought 
from ZaBung village. Moreover, 4 persons from each village along Thantlang 
and Hriphi were forced to carry an empty diesel tank (50 gallons- capacity) 
from one village to another - any group that could not carry the tank were 
punched and beaten. The age of the laborers from each village ranged from 67 
years to 15 years, including school children.

	Among the laborers who worked in the road construction were 3 elderly men, 
over 65 years, 3 widows and 5 school children from ZaBung village; 4 elderly 
men (around age 50) from Zephai village; 1 elderly man and 4 middle school 
students from Nga Lang village and people from different age group even 
children and some Christian religious teachers from Hriphi village.

	While working on the construction, Ni Awi, a 23-year-old youth, son of Nun 
Hei from Hriphi village fell off the wall of the road and broke his right 
arms. Ram Cung, a 17-year-old youth, son of Hei Mang received serious chest 
and back injuries from the same incident. No medical treatment whatsoever 
was given to the victims.

	The newly constructed road had crossed private farms owned by Hram Thang, 
Sui Mang, Lian Te and Hre Cem of Hriphi (B) village were destroyed. The 
farmers received no compensation so far. These farmers are likely to face 
serious difficulties in the coming year, as their farms were destroyed 
without compensation.

	According to a reliable information, despite reportedly sanctioning Kyats 
500000 and 140000 worth diesel for bulldozer. However, nothing was spent for 
the construction, instead forced labor was used. After completing the 
construction the laborers were forced to work on the army farms.


		Myanmar Christians flee to India alleging persecution
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				( Source : Rangoon Post )


	GUWAHATI, India, Aug 20 (AFP) - More than 1,000 Christian tribals in 
Myanmar have fled across the border into India this month, alleging 
persecution by the military junta and Buddhist monks, church leaders said 
Friday.

	The Naga tribals, mostly from eight villages in the Sagaing district of 
northern Myanmar, crossed into the far northeastern Indian state of 
Nagaland, according to Reverend Zhabu Terhuja, general secretary of the 
Nagaland Baptist Church Council.

	"Buddhist monks aided by Myanmar soldiers have been forcing the Christian 
Nagas residing in that country to convert to Buddhism," Terhuja told AFP by 
telephone from the Naga capital Kohima.

	There are an estimated 20,000 Naga tribals in Myanmar. "Some Myanmarese 
Nagas are taking shelter in a border village called Pangsa following alleged 
persecution by the army," said local police chief L.T. Lotha.

	"But there is no law and order as such due to the exodus," Lothi said. 
Church leaders said the Naga Christians were being forced to close down 
their churches, which had then been desecrated or used as kitchens by the 
Myanmar army.

	Reverend Bonny Resu, secretary general of the Asian Baptist
Federation said the issue had been taken up with the Myanmar Baptist 
Convention "so that they can apprise the government about the reports of 
persecution."

	However, Buddhist leaders here questioned the validity of the reports."Even 
if your father or mother accepts another religion, being a son you cannot 
force them to reconvert to Buddhism. So the question of converting 
Christians to Buddhism by force does not arise," said Gyanpal Bhiku, a 
Buddhist monk and member of the Northeast Buddhist Federation.


			Force to construct police station and army camp
                        ===============================================


Name			: Zamula
age			: 35
Gender			: Male
Occupation		: Farmer ( presently Chairman 					  			  	  of Shiao village 
tract )
Religion		: Christian
Family members		: 6-Children

	The police station in charge and army/company commander of Shinletwa, 
Paletwa township, jointly, forced the villagers to construct police station 
and army camp. The villagers were divided into two groups. One group was 
assigned to build police station and the other was assigned to construct 
army camp. Para village, Shewlike village, Yayitaung village, Gonepin 
village, Pondmao village, Kyupyahtin village, Pyiwa village and Khone 
village were assigned to build army camp. Under a watchful eyes of the 
guards the villagers were forced to work from morning 6:00 until 5: pm 
without taking rest.

	No medicine was provided for the sick from the authorities. At night the 
villagers had to sleep at the place where the authority had specified. The 
villagers were warned that anyone who escape from the work field would be 
severely punished. The villagers had no time even for bathing.

	"The two constructions simultaneously started in February of 1999. As our 
group could not complete the construction in February they told us to come 
back in March. However, I could not go back to the construction because I 
was busy with my farm works. So when I went for the meeting in the begining 
of May,  the commander questioned me why I did not show up in the 
construction work and I was kept under arrest ( kept in  the army camp ). I 
requested the commander to allow me to stay in the village because I was so 
uncomfortable to stay in the army camp" said Zamula.

	He also addded, "even though the commander allowed me to stay in the 
village, I had to give my signature twice a day at the camp. Moreover, the 
authority  asked me to pay Kyats 500 for the cost of papers and pens".

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