2. Extra-judicial Killing, Summary or Arbitrary Execution
2.1 Background
According to the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003, the SPDC military regime’s poor human rights record worsened during 2003 as it continued to commit serious human rights abuses including extra-judicial killings (source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004). Incidents of extra-judicial killing and of summary executions perpetrated by government forces and their allies continued to be reported throughout Burma in 2003. Soldiers, members of the SPDC endorsed people’s militias (pyithusit), Military Intelligence, police and other SPDC officials are reported to be the perpetrators of these crimes against civilians. Extra-judicial killings are most frequently reported in the border ethnic states where armed ethnic resistance groups are suspected of conducting activities or where there is active conflict. As a result, the ethnic minority populations are frequently subject to extra-judicial killings based on the suspicion that they are either supporters or sympathizers of the ethnic opposition armies. Extra-judicial killing also occurs when ethnic minority villagers are subject to forced labor and portering, which occurs quite frequently. Sexual violence perpetrated by state soldiers often leads to extra-judicial killing as a means to eradicate evidence of the crime. Extra-judicial killing and summary executions are more often than not, committed with impunity like many other human rights abuses in Burma. Complaints or reports made by victim’s families are reported to be met with threats of redress, reprisals, or complete indifference.
Many arbitrary executions are carried out in line with the SPDC’s "Four-Cuts" policy, which is practiced, in the areas of armed conflict, against the ethnic minority villagers. According to this policy, the SPDC army has aimed to cut support to the opposition through mass relocations of villagers to areas under army control. They detain, torture and execute villagers, village elders and leaders who are considered to have contact with the opposition. Villagers found outside of SPDC controlled areas, including villagers in hiding from the army and villagers outside of forced relocation sites, are often assumed to be rebels or rebel supporters. Indeed, accusing a villager of being a rebel soldier, a relative of a rebel soldier, or helping rebel soldiers in any way is an accusation punishable by death. Villagers in resistance areas fear traveling outside their village, especially to tend their hill fields in the jungle, because they risk discovery by SPDC troops on patrol and the inevitable accusation of rebel activity. Villagers seen outside of SPDC controlled areas or villages are often shot on sight by patrolling troops without any kind of warning. As accusations of rebel association do not require proof, this system can be used to execute almost anyone; for example, women found in a village without their husbands are often accused of being ‘married to a rebel soldier’. Villagers can also be executed for simply carrying food in areas outside SPDC control, as the army assumes that the food is to supply rebel troops.
One aspect of the SPDC’s campaign to secure military control over areas of armed ethnic opposition is the expansion of Sa Thon Lon operations into the mountains of Taungoo District, Karen State. The Sa Thon Lon, or Dam Byan Byaut Kya (‘Guerrilla Retaliation’), are execution squads that were created in 1998 under Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt’s Directorate of Defense Services Intelligence (DDSI). The squads operate as small 5-10 men specially trained units tasked with finding and executing villagers who are suspected of having current or past contact with opposition groups. Villagers call them the Baw Bi Doh (‘Short Pants’), a reference to their mixture of civilian and army clothing. Villagers are terrified of them because their execution methods are particularly brutal and they execute people for ‘crimes’ as minor as supplying rice to Karen soldiers or carrying loads for them. Villagers are executed even if the alleged crime occurred long ago. It has also been reported that villagers are often forced to sign documents in which they pledge not to have any contact or collaboration with the KNU. In the event that their pledge is found to be broken, villagers may be subject to torture and possibly execution. Almost every villager in ethnic minority areas has had some form of ‘contact’ with opposition groups. It has been reported that the Guerilla Retaliation Units legitimate their actions with these documents. As a result, most villagers live in fear of execution in the presence of the Baw Bi Doh, especially current and former village headmen. (Source: Expansion of the Guerilla Retaliation Units and Food Shortages in Toungoo District of Northern Karen State, KHRG, 16 June 2003)
Reports of extra-judicial killings in Shan State did not abate in 2003. Extra-judicial killings have occurred in Shan State habitually since 1996-97 when the State Law and Order Restoration Council initiated large scale forced relocations in the central part of the state. According the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF), the situation in Shan State may in fact be deteriorating. Because many relocated village areas are still specified as free fire zones, roaming SPDC soldiers continually carry out acts rape, killing, torture, and other abuses against villagers in the areas. Moreover, SHRF reported that SPDC soldiers commenced a new tactic of disguising themselves as opposition army members in an attempt to defer the blame for their actions. SPDC soldiers have worn different clothing and used different weapons to disguise themselves. SHRF reports that villagers were able to identify the SPDC soldiers regardless of their appearance. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, April & June 2003)
Death and the Depayin Massacre
On 30 May 2003, Aung San Suu Kyi, her convoy of National League for Democracy (NLD) members, and hundreds of supporters were attacked in a small village just outside of Depayin, Sagaing division. The perpetrators were reported to be members of the State supported Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and prisoners recruited from Mandalay Prison specifically for the job. There is significant evidence indicating that the attack was organized by different levels of state officials. The attackers used bamboo poles, metals spikes, and rods to beat the NLD members and supporters. Women were stripped naked or partially naked and their possessions were stolen. In another area, it was reported that the car carrying Aung San Suu Kyi was shot at with 10-15 rounds of bullets when it tried to escape the attack. It was reported that San Myint, Tin Maung Oo, Thein Toe Aye, and Khin Maung Kyaw were killed during the attack, all of whom were NLD members. In addition, a student named Min Zaw Oo and a monk named U Panna Thiri were also killed during the violence. (Source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004) (Please see chapter on assembly and association for more information about the Depayin Massacre.)
According the U.S. Department of State, villagers in the area of the attack reported as many as 70 people may have been killed. The SPDC claimed only 4 people were killed and only 50 wounded as a result of a clash incited by the NLD. At the same time, the Ad Hoc Commission on Depayin Massacre (Burma) reports that, “police and the Pyithu Swan-ar Shin members carted off the dead bodies in their Dyna trucks, as if they were throwing rubbish onto a garbage pile, and left the scene,” (source: The Second Preliminary Report of the Ad Hoc Commission on Depayin Massacre (Burma), May 2004). According to the testimony of a USDA member transmitted by Radio Free Asia on 5 September, the authorities organized USDA members and other participants to dig ditches in the compound of an abandoned irrigation department. Later, approximately 100 bodies were brought there “including people who were alive with serious injuries,” (source: “Killings, Rapes in Well-Planned Attach by Burmese Junta,” RFA, 5 September 2003).
Due to the organized nature of the attack and the organized “clean-up” which followed, the exact number of victims is unclear. At the same time, the SPDC has not permitted an independent and transparent investigation into the attacks. According to the U.S. Department of State, the fate and whereabouts of 10 NLD members and 47 pro-democracy supporters was still unknown at the end of 2003 (source: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 February 2004). At the end of February 2004, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPPB) reported that approximately 265 people were either detained, killed, or missing in conjunction with the massacre at Depayin and the following crackdown on the democracy movement (source: AAPPB, 29 February 2004).
Partial list of NLD members and people who died after 30 May
1. Min Zaw Oo
2. Myint Soe
3. U Pyin Nya Thiri
4. San Myint
5. Thein Soe
6. Thein Toe Aye
7. Tin Maung Oo
8. Toe Toe Lwin
9. Win Thiha Maung
10. U Tun Aung Kyaw
(Source: AAPPB, 1 March 2004)
2.2 Extra-judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions – partial list of incidents for 2003
(See the chapters on forced labor, women, children and torture for further incidents.)
Arakan State
On 19 November 2003, Burmese Army soldiers killed a Rohingya traveler on the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road. The victim’s name was Mohammed Toyub (age 39), son of Maqtul Hussein and from Ward No.4 of Buthidaung town, Arakan State. Around 11:00 am, Mohammed was traveling to Maungdaw by bus to visit relatives. 10 miles outside of Maungdaw, soldiers stopped the bus and all the passengers were taken out. A collapsing hillside had caused the road to become covered in stones and clod. As a result, some soldiers from Battalion No.234 and residents of a village 3 miles outside of Maungdaw were working to clear the road when the bus was stopped. The soldiers asked the passengers to assist clearing the road and Mohammed pretended not to hear their request causing one soldier to become angry. The soldier then hit Mohammed on the neck with an iron rod. Mohammed fell down unconscious with blood gushing from his mouth and nose. Apparently, the blow had cut off the arteries in his neck. A commander from the group ordered some of the passengers to take Mohammed for medical treatment but he died on the way to Buthidaung Hospital. Later, some of the victim’s relatives tried to report the incident at the police station and were ordered to bury the body without an autopsy. As far as the family knows, there was no punishment for those responsible for Mohammed’s death. (Source: “Burmese Army Killed a Traveler at Maungdaw-Buthidaung Road”, MAN, 16 December 2003)
Karen State
Note: Dooplaya, Pa-an and Papun Districts, as reported below, are all areas demarcated by the KNU as Karen territory. Dooplaya District falls mostly in SPDC demarcated Karen State and partially in SPDC demarcated Mon State. Dooplaya District is under the patrol of the 6th Brigade of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Papun and Pa-an Districts fall entirely in SPDC demarcated Karen State. Papun District is under the patrol of the 5th Brigade of the KNLA and Pa-an is under the patrol of the 7th Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize these as official districts. Instead, the SPDC considers there to be 3 districts (North to South: Kawkareik, Pa-an and Myawaddy) and 7 townships (North to South: Than Daung, Papun, Hlaing Bwe, Pa’an, Kawkareik, Myawaddy, and Kya In Seik Gyi) within Karen State. These townships do not correspond with the KNU demarcated districts, even for those which share the same name.
Dooplaya District
On 16 July 2003, at 10:45 am, a clash broke out between KNLA Battalion 16, Company 1 troops and SPDC IB 34 Column 1 troops near Kyet-chan village and Bay-met-gon village in Win-yae Township. Later, troops from SPDC IB 34 Column 1, led by Column 1 Commander Myint Htun Oo and Company Commander Moe Mung, came to Kyet-chan and accused the villagers of causing the clash by giving information to the rebels. The troops then killed the Kyet-chan village head, Saw Htoo Pwe Hser (age 50), son of Saw Htun Yin, by shooting a gun into his mouth. The troops also killed the Bay-met-gon Village Head, Saw Kyaw Aye Swe (age 48), son of Saw Pah Wah Hser, by shooting a gun at his head. (Source: KIC, 2003)
Pa-an District
On 21 April 2003, at 11:00 am, DKBA troops shot and killed Pa Maung Kyaw, a villager from Kho-ka-ser-po. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 30 April 2003, DKBA troops shot and killed the Pa-naw-kleh-khee village head Saw Di Htoo (age 55). The troops also shot at Paw-baw-kho village head, Saw Kya Paw (age 22), 5 times. Saw Kya Paw managed to escape unharmed. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 15 June 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 703 led by Battalion Commander Htun Htun Maung combined with troops from DKBA 555, went to Ta-rit-po-kwee village and looted 70 baskets of rice from the villagers. Moreover, the troops shot and killed villager Saw Ta Oo and beat another villager to death. (Source: KIC, 2003)
Papun District
On 6 January 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 434, led by battalion commander Major Myo Hlaing, abducted Saw Pah Eh Say of Klaw-day village, Mae-klaw village tract. Thereafter, the troops shot him to death on Bu-tho-kho Mountain. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 10 January 2003, troops from SPDC IB 36 from the South West Command headquarters, led by Battalion Commander Kyaw Kyaw Oo, came to Noe-paw-htee village, Dweh-lo Township, where they shot and killed a villager named Saw Nay Kaw without reason. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 1 April 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 434 came to Noe-pu village, Dweh-lo Township, arrested and brutally tortured a Po-baw-kho villager named Saw Di Po, (age 29), son of Saw Maung Thein and Naw Say Lah. They also arrested a Toe-nyo villager named Saw Htun Myint (age 40). On 5 April, the troops executed these 2 villagers at Way-mone village. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 15 April 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 10 arrested Saw Pa Lah Tu (age 55), head of Htee-gaw-hta village, Dwe-lo Township, on the accusation that he had connections with the resistance group. The troops arrested him after a clash had occurred between Noe-hta and Ko-thu-hta villages. In the evening of 16 April 2003, the troops beat Saw Pah Lah Tu up at Ya-hkee-hta and later they executed him. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 21 April 2003, at 8:00 am, a unit of SPDC troops came to Mae-nu-hta village, Bu-tho Township, and arrested a villager from Baw-bo-kyo named Saw Pa Day Heh (male, age 28). The troops shot him to death without reason. Saw Bi Ta (male, age10) of Taw-nya-doe village was wounded in the shooting spree, while Naw Thaung Khin (female, age 18) of Eh-maw-doe village drowned after she jumped into the river out of fright. The troops also looted 120 litres of honey from the villagers. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 30 May 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 24 column 2, under LID 66, led by Battalion Commander Kyaw Swe shot and killed Pa Lah Day (age 50), of Thet-kya-pu village, Dwe-lo Township without reason. In addition, the troops burned down the paddy barns of the following Thet-kya-pu villagers: Naw Pwe's barn containing 125 baskets of paddy, Ta Kay Na's barn containing 80 baskets of paddy, and Pa Pler's barn containing 35 baskets of paddy. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 21 August 2003, SPDC troops from LIB 541 Sergeant Htun Kyaing and 2 soldiers based in the west of Than Lwin river in Karen State near Papun ran away to near Pyin Ma Pin village, were followed by their mother battalion, and were shot to death. The 3 soldiers had run away because their troop leaders had not shared the profits that the battalion earned from selling teak. As a result, the soldiers faced problems obtaining food, became angry with their troop leader, and ran away. (Source: “Three Deserters Were Followed by SPDC Troops And Shot to Death”, MAN, 24 August 2003)
On 24 August 2003, troops from SPDC IB 434, under LID 66, shot and killed Saw Pa Hser and Saw Pa Hkeh of Hkaw-kla village, Dwe-lo Township. The 2 were among 11 villagers who had been arrested, brutally beaten, and taken to the troops’ camp on 9 August. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 5 September 2003, at about 6:00 am, SPDC troops from IB 19 and LIB 431 led by Captain Than Win and Captain Khin Zaw shot at a field near Thawlay village, Papun Township. They killed U Thar Yin and his son, Saw Hpar Dee, who were listening to the radio in a hut, said Saw Ni Thar who lived in the same village with them. He said, “I went and visited them early this morning. We listened to the radio and talked. Ten minutes after I left the hut, I heard shooting. I realized that there were SPDC soldiers there. These were innocent people. But, the SPDC soldiers said that they had received information that KNU troops were coming. So they shot the hut because they suspected it. After the killing, villagers were not allowed to stay in their fields at night.” (Source: "SPDC Tactical Troops Went to Rice Field Early in The Morning, Shot at The Hut, And Killed A Father And Son", MAN, 9 September 2003)
Mon State
On 23 April 2003, troops from SPDC IB 11, led by Column 2 Commander Aung Za Ya Lin, combined with troops from the DKBA arrested Saw Eh Soe, Pa Mee Per and Pa Maung Kwee from Pa-ya-raw village, Bi-lin Township, Thaton district, without reason. The troops then shot and killed Pa Mee Per and Pa Maung Kwee when they were between Lay-kay and Pa-ya-raw villages. (Source: KIC, 2003)
On 17 September 2003, DKBA troops led by Saw Bu Gay shot and killed a villager named Saw Po Sheh (age 22), son of Tee Pa Paw of Shwe-oak-tha-waw-pya, in Bi-lin Township, Thaton district without reason. (Source: KIC, 2003)
Pegu Division
Note: Both Nyaunglebin District and Taungoo District are areas demarcated by the KNU as Karen territory. Taungoo falls partially in SPDC demarcated Pegu Division and partially in SPDC demarcated Karen State. Taungoo is under the patrol of the 2nd Brigade of the KNLA. Nyaunglebin falls in SPDC demarcated Pegu Division and is under the patrol of the 3rd Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize Nyaunglebin or Taungoo as official districts.
Nyaunglebin District
On 22 July 2003, at 9:55 am, troops from SPDC IB 60 shot at villagers at Baw-po-li-kho without reason. The villagers had been on their way carrying rice when the soldiers opened fire on them. As a result, Saw Pa Ka Moo (male, age 50), son of Waw Nay Htoo, from Thaw-nge-doe village, Kyauk-kyi Township was killed. The troops also took 50,000 kyat from his body and 3 tins of rice from the other villagers. (Source: KIC, 2003)
Toungoo District
On 13 June 2003, SPDC guerilla troops led by Myo Aung Zaw shot at the villagers they saw on their way in Tantabin district. One villager died on the spot and 2 were wounded. The villagers were:
(1) Saw Pa Tu, Derdoh villager,
age 35, son of Saw A'ko and Naw Kroo (died);
(2) Saw Ni Doh Htoo, younger brother of Saw Pu Tu, age 24, got wounded on the
hip; and
(3) Saw Ko Maung, age 30, a Mawtoder villager, wounded on his arm.
Saw Ko Maung was captured by the troops while the other villagers had to run away in order to escape. (Source: KORD, 2003)
Shan State
14 villagers shot dead for failing to pay Opium Tax in Murng-Sart
In January 2003, 28 farmers who had been forced to grow opium by the SPDC troops came to the military camp of LIB 579 at Murng Kok village. They reported to the camp commander, Major Aung Kyaw Thu, saying that they could not pay the required tax in full because their opium crop had failed and they could hardly get 1-1/2 viss from even 2-3 acres of land. The SPDC commander, however, accused the villagers of trying to lie and ordered them to bring the required amount in full no matter how their opium harvest turned out to be. The villagers tried to convince him by inviting him to go and see that in some places even 3-4 acres of land did not produce 1-1/2 viss of opium, but the commander only repeated his order, stood up and walked away.
After 5-6 days, when the villagers had not turned up with the demanded tax, the SPDC troops sought out their houses and shot them dead, one after another. 14 were shot and killed in that manner during January and early February. The 14 villagers shot dead were all men except for one 9-year-old child:
(1) Lung Kya, age 56;
(2) Zaai Taan, age 46;
(3) Zaai Dip, age 25;
(4) Lung Ke, age 40;
(5) Zaai Sai, age 27;
(6) Zaai Kheng, age 32;
(7) Zaai Zaai, age 9;
(8) Zaai Oo, age 27;
(9) Lung Non, age 50;
(10) Zaai Lon, age 20;
(11) Zaai Laek, age 17;
(12) Zaai Saam, age 30;
(13) Lung Law-Kha, age 40; and
(14) Lung Za-Kha, age 46. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, July 2003)
12 Karen mahouts shot dead in a group in Murng-Nai
On 21 January 2003, 15 Karen elephant drivers and wood cutters were shot at by a commando unit of SPDC troops from Kho Lam camp in Nam-Zarng Township, at a logging camp in Kaeng Tawng area in Murng-Nai Township. Twelve were instantly killed and 3 escaped, one suffering an arm injury while escaping. The 15 were taking a break to eat at the Pa Pee logging camp when a group of 20 armed men in green military fatigues without any insignia came into the camp. Five of the men carried M-22 rifles and the others carried assorted weapons. The 20 men claimed to be Shan soldiers, forced the mahouts to go outside of the hut, and made them line up 20 yards away from the hut. They accused the mahouts of logging without paying taxes and told them to pay as soon as possible. The mahouts tried to explain that they had no money as they were only hired hands. They also indicated it would be better to speak in Burmese as they did not speak Shan well. The armed men then started to speak in Burmese and the mahouts accused them of being SPDC soldiers from Kho Lam village camp. The armed men were stunned for a moment and suddenly fired their M-22 rifles at the line of mahouts and wood cutters, killing 12 of them. Three of them managed to escape by running into the nearby forest and one was shot in the arm as the troops shot after them. When the survivors and village leaders tried to report the incident, they were warned that they must report Shan soldiers as the culprits. If they defied this order, they would be severely punished and their land would be confiscated. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, March 2003)
Killing and disappearance of displaced farmers in Lai-Kha
On 31 January 2003, some displaced farmers from Lai-Kha town relocation site managed to obtain a pass from the SPDC military authorities of LIB 515 to return for 15 days to cultivate their farm at their original village, Paang Yung, in Wan Lur village tract, Lai-Kha Township. The 15 farmers had been working at their farm for 8 days when a group of about 25-30 armed men, wearing camouflage military fatigues with SSA (Shan State Army) insignias and name badges with Shan names on their breast pockets, came to the farm. Some of the farmers recognized the armed men as SPDC soldiers from IB 64 and 2 of the farmers pretended to fetch water from a well nearby and ran away. The troops tried to shoot at them but missed. The other farmers started to run away as well and the troops shot at them killing 3. The others managed to escape. Two were wounded as they ran away.
The SPDC troops tried to convince local people that Shan soldiers were responsible for killing the farmers. Yet, Zaai Ku-Na (male) and Zaai Saw (male), 2 of the farmers who had escaped, told people that the SPDC soldiers from IB 64 were responsible. The farmers indicated that they recognized the SPDC soldiers, particularly Nyo Maung, a Corporal or 2-striped Sergeant, who often visited their places. Some time later, Zaai Ku-Na and Zaai Saw were summoned to the SPDC military camp to identify the man they called Nyo Maung. However, the 2 men never returned and their relatives could not find them anywhere up to the time of this report. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, April 2003)
7 Displaced farmers shot dead in Lai-Kha
On 26 February 2003, 7 displaced farmers were shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops in a farm hut at a remote farm near Haai Seng village (relocated) in Haai Seng village tract, Lai-Kha Township. The farmers were originally from Haai Seng village which had been relocated to the outskirts of Lai-Kha town in 1997 by the then SLORC troops. During the rice growing season in 2002, they managed to obtain permission in the form of a pass from the local SPDC military authorities to go and cultivate their rice farm at their old village. The farmers had to renew their pass every 10 days for 100 kyat per person each time, until February 2003 when the rice was harvested and temporarily stored in bamboo granaries at the farm. Thereafter, the rice was transported in small quantities back to the relocation site.
They were in the process of transporting the rice when on the day of the incident they were shot dead in the hut at the farm. Lung Sa (male, age 53), who was returning from fetching water and heard the gun shots as he reached the edge of the farm, ran back to the relocation site, and before long the villagers saw a patrol of about 15 SPDC troops from IB 246 in camouflage military fatigues pass by their village from the direction of Haai Seng village.
The villagers dared not go to look at the farm and later reported the incident to the SPDC troops at IB 246 base. The SPDC troops said they would send some troops to search the place and told the villagers not to go there until they were allowed by the troops.
After 2 nights, the villagers were permitted to go to the farm. When they got there the villagers saw the farm had been looted. All the rice and other food stuff had been taken away and nothing was left at the farm, not even a knife or a hoe. The bodies of those killed were already badly swollen and decaying.
Later, SPDC military authorities were said to have told the village and community leaders in the area that it was Shan rebels who had shot and killed the farmers, saying, “You think that your Shan soldiers love you. But they are not only demanding rice and money from you, but are also killing your loved ones. From now on, instead of helping them you should turn to us and tell us their whereabouts as soon as possible. We are government soldiers. Even Khun Sa’s 7-80,000-strong MTA (Mong Tai Army) has to surrender to us. This remaining handful of Shan soldiers are nothing.” Even though there were many people who knew that it was all done by SPDC troops, no one dared to argue about it.
The 7 farmers who were killed were:
(1) Lung Nan-Ta, male, age 51;
(2) Pa Ming, female, age 50;
(3) Zaai Mawng, male, age 40;
(4) Zaai Ku, male, age 24;
(5) Zaai Pun-Nya, male, age 21;
(6) Naang Seng Lu, female, age 20; and
(7) Naang Kam, female, age 19. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, May
2003)
2 farmers shot dead while working on their farm in Nam-Zarng
In March 2003, 2 farmers who were working at their farm were accused of being or helping Shan soldiers and then shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops from IB 102, at a farm about 1 mile from Loi Aai village in Loi La village tract, Nam-Zarng Township. Lung Ta (male, age 49) and Lung Kaw-Lin (male, age 45) were both from Loi Aai village and they were working at their farm, when a patrol of about 30 SPDC troops from IB 102 came and asked them if they had seen Shan soldiers passing by that way. When the farmers said they had not seen anyone else coming that way except themselves, the SPDC troops searched around the farm and the farm hut. After a while, some soldiers claimed that they had found a bundle of M-22 ammunition in a basket in the hut. The soldiers accused the 2 farmers of possessing it and of being or helping the Shan soldiers. The SPDC troops then seized the 2 farmers, tied them up, took them out of the farm and shot them dead near a ditch at the edge of the farm. Their bodies were pushed down into the ditch together and covered with earth.
After that, the SPDC troops came into Loi Aai village and told the villagers that they had shot and killed Shan soldiers and seized their ammunition, showing the bundle of about 30 rounds of M-22 ammunition which they said they would present to the commander of Military Tactical Command in the area as evidence. Many local people who knew them well suspected that the 2 farmers had been framed by the SPDC troops even though they did not know why. As the victims were just simple farmers it was most unlikely that they could possess such ammunition. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, August 2003)
2 Displaced farmers shot dead and 1 disappeared in Lai-Kha
On 17 March 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 515 shot at a group of about 9-10 displaced farmers who were camping at a remote farm near Ho Phaai village (relocated) in Nawng Kaw village tract, Lai-Kha Township. 2 were killed instantly and the others ran away and escaped. The 2 farmers killed were:
(1) Zaai Pun-Nya, male, age 29,
originally from Nam Pa Kaang village in Haai Seng village tract; and
(2) Naang Man, female, age 26, originally from Nam Pa Kaang village in Haai Seng
village tract.
In September 2003, a group of Burmese soldiers, claiming to be Shan soldiers from the SSA (Shan State Army), came to the same remote farm where farmers were harvesting their crops and demanded approximately 100,000 kyat in taxes from them. One of the farmers, Wi-Zae-Ya (male, age 31), recognized one of the soldiers as being an SPDC soldier and said, “You are Commander Than Htun, aren’t you?” Wi Zae Ya was immediately arrested and taken away by the soldiers. Since then, Wi-Zae-Ya, originally from Nam Pa Kaang village in Haai Seng village tract, has not been seen up to the time of this report. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2003)
12 cow-herders and a cow trader shot dead and their cows stolen after money was extorted in Kun-Hing
On 20 March 2003, 8 cattle traders from Kun-Hing Township decided to pool their money together and buy some heads of cattle from Murng-Su Township in the north to sell them in Kun-Hing town. They asked the SPDC IB 246 for permission and were issued a written permit allowing them to buy 30 head of cattle, but were required to pay 3,000 kyat ‘tax’ per head in advanced. The total tax was 90,000 kyat in all.
After they bought the cattle, the traders hired cow-herders along the way to drive the cattle from Murng-Su to Kun-Hing. At one point, 7 of the traders boarded a passing truck and went to Kun-Hing ahead of the others, leaving 1 trader and 12 cowherds to take care of the herd. About 4-5 miles north of Kun-Hing town, the 12 cowherds were beaten to death and the cattle were stolen by a patrol of SPDC troops from IB 246 who were in the forest about 2-1/2 miles from the main road. The trader that had remained with the herd, Saang Su (male, age 43), from Kaa Li village, Kaa Li village tract, Kun-Hing Township, was also killed and his body was found about 4 miles from the main road.
Although the 7 other traders later found their cattle in the compound of the base of IB 246, they dared not ask for them for fear of further abuses. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, June 2003)
Monks killed and money extorted from villagers in Kun-Hing
On 29 March 2003, SPDC troops from IB 246 shot and killed a Buddhist monk and wounded another, who later died in a hospital at Tham Loi Kong Forest Monastery, 1-1/2 miles southwest of Kun-Hing town, Kun-Hing Township. At about 4:30 am, a group of SPDC soldiers wearing camouflage military fatigues came and knocked on the door of the monastery. As the abbot monk opened the door and lit a candle, the SPDC troops came into the monastery and without mentioning a word shot dead the abbot monk. The abbot monk was an 83-year-old Mon national who was called U Uttama and had been living at the monastery for 4 years and 9 months.
Two novices, who also stayed at the monastery, saw the incident and recognized the SPDC soldiers. One novice, Zao Long Kaw (age 43), jumped out of the monastery and fled. The soldiers shot and wounded him as he ran away. He ran to Loi Kong village, about 1 mile west of the monastery. The local villages sent him to the hospital in Kun- Hing town and reported the incident to the SPDC IB 246 troops. The novice stayed in the hospital from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm when he died. Before he died, he told everyone that SPDC soldiers were responsible for shooting him and the abbot. He also indicated that he had clearly recognized Captain Than Naing Oo of Co.3 among the soldiers.
After they had taken care of the monks’ bodies, about 15 leaders and elders of Loi Kong village were summoned to the IB 246 base by the battalion commander. The commander then said to the villagers, “Concerning the case in which Shan soldiers shot dead our Burman monk, I will help cover it up, but you Loi Kong villagers must find 200,000 kyat for me. I will report it to my superiors so that the news does not spread." The villagers dared not argue, but collected the money among themselves and gave it to the commander within 15 days. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, May 2003)
A villager buried alive and his cattle stolen in Lai-Kha
In April 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 515 buried a man alive and killed his ox for meat at Kun Sai village (relocated) in Naa Mang village tract, Lai-Kha Township. Lung Loo, the victim (age 40), had gone to find his ox which had been missing for 2 days in the relocation area in Naa Mang village tract in Lai-Kha Township. As he was returning with his ox, he ran into a patrol of about 30 SPDC troops from Co.3 of LIB 515, led by commander Than Oo. The troops took Lung Loo and his ox with them until they reached Kun Sai, a relocated village and stopped there for the night when they killed Lung Loo’s ox and smoked the meat. At the same time, they dug a well-like hole in the ground and made Lung Loo stand in the hole. Then they slowly buried him alive in that position. It was reported that some of the SPDC soldiers recounted the incident to the villagers displaced from Kun Sai village. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, January 2003)
9 year-old boy shot dead and opium extorted from farmers in Kun-Hing
On 1 April 2003, an 8-year-old son of displaced farmers was shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops from IB 246 at a remote opium farm, for which opium seeds were provided by local SPDC troops, in Kun-Hing Township. On the day of the incident, a group of 25 displaced farmers who were tending their opium farm about 1 mile from Long Maw village (relocated). The 8-year-old boy, Zaai Kaw, was left alone in a hut in the village, because both of his parents were required to work with the other farmers. The SPDC troops claimed that they came through the area in search of Shan rebels. When they found the boy in the deserted village, they shot and killed him. The boy’s body was found about 30 yards from the hut and all the rice and food stuffs were stolen from inside the hut. Later, some SPDC soldiers told villagers that they had raided an opium farm and a deserted village, Long Maw, where Shan rebels were hanging out. They said that all of the adults had run away leaving a small boy along and so they killed him.
The incident caused many farmers to feel reluctant about going out to tend their fields. As a result, their opium yield was low and barely enough to meet their quota. The opium seeds were provided by SPDC troops on a condition that each farmer sell 3 viss of opium sap to their friends at the market rate after the harvest. In mid-April, when Capt. Soe Win Maung from Co.1 of SPDC IB 246 gathered the opium farmers to collect the opium, only some of the said 25 opium farmers could barely meet the quota. The others had to buy from somewhere else to fill up their quotas at the rate of 50,000 kyat per viss and sell to the SPDC troops at the rate of 20,000 kyat per viss. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, June 2003)
A newlywed couple of displaced villagers shot dead in Lai-Kha
On 1 April 2003, troops from SPDC LIB 515 shot and killed a couple as they were returning from gathering firewood. The couple was on their way back to the relocation site on the outskirts of Lai-kha town when they ran into a patrol of 30 soldiers let by Capt. Kyaw Neing. Without warning, the troops opened fire on them. The wife was instantly killed. The husband was hit in his right shoulder, ran away, and escaped. After arriving to his home in the relocation site, he died 3 hours later due to heavy bleeding. The victims, Zaai Pun-Nya (male, age 20) and Naang Num (female, age 19), who had been married for less than a year, were originally from Ho Phaai village in Nawng Kaw village tract, Lai-Kha Township, which had been relocated to the outskirts of Lai-Kha town in 1997 by the then SLORC troops. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, July 2003)
A displaced woman killed and smoked in Lai-Kha
On 27 April 2003, a 63-year-old displaced woman was killed and smoked on a bamboo shelf by a patrol of SPDC troops from IB 64 at a remote farm near Lin Muk village (relocated) in Wan Saang village tract, Lai-Kha Township. Grandma Naang and her family were originally from Lin Muk village which had been forcibly relocated to the outskirts of Lai-Kha town in 1997 by the then SLORC troops and had gone to cultivate their farm at their old village. On the day of the incident, grandma Naang, (age 63) and her grandson (age 8) were at the farm when a patrol of SPDC troops came towards them.
Although the grandson managed to run away and escaped, grandma Naang was caught by the SPDC troops. When they heard about the incident from their son, the parents and their relatives, who had returned home for some reasons, waited until the troops left the farm and went to have a look the next day. They found grandma Naang’s body at the farm, lying on a bamboo shelf with a dead fire under it, partly burnt and blackened with smoke. She was probably killed and her body put on a bamboo shelf and a fire was lit under it, as if to smoke or roast it like beef. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, December 2003)
A displaced farmer was shot dead for being unable to provide rice quota in Lai-Kha
On 29 April 2003, troops from SPDC IB 55 shot and killed a displaced farmer on the road just outside Phuay Hai village in Lai-Kha Township because he was unable to sell his rice quota as demanded by the SPDC troops. When he was summoned by the SPDC authorities to sell his rice quota on 24 April 2003, Zaai Zaam Pun explained that he got only 15 baskets from his rice field and it had almost been consumed by his family, and that he also had no money to buy rice from others to fill up his quota.
A patrol of SPDC troops was then sent to search Zaai Zaam Pun’s house where they saw his wife and 2 children living in a small shabby thatched house and only 3 baskets of rice which he kept to be used as seeds for the next rice growing season. The SPDC troops took away the rice and warned Zaai Zaam Pun that he would have to somehow find the remaining 57 baskets and fill up his quota no later than 30 April 2003, or face the consequences.
On the day of the incident, a patrol of SPDC troops again came to Zaai Zaam Pun’s house and when they did not find him nor any rice in the house, they asked his wife where he was. The wife told them her husband had gone to find rice and the troops left the village. As the SPDC troops were leaving Phuay Hai village, they met Zaai Zaam Pun and some other villagers who were returning on the road outside the village. The troops asked Zaai Zaam Pun where the rice was so that they could come and collect it the next day.
Zaai Zaam Pun said that he was not able to get any rice for the quota, and even for his children to eat, he had to beg around and was only able to get 3 milk-cans of rice. The SPDC troops became angry and shouted at him, “So, you don’t want to sell us your rice?”
As Zaai Zaam Pun was trying to explain that he had tried as best he could but no one would lend him rice or money, the SPDC troops kicked at him and he fell to the ground. The SPDC troops then shot him dead at the side of the road east of Phuay Hai village. After which, the troops warned the other villagers to tell people that Zaai Zaam Pun had actually resisted the government authority, otherwise they would have to face the same fate as him.
The victim, Zaai Zaam Pun, and his family were originally from Ter Leng village in Haai Seng village tract, Lai-Kha Township, which had been forcibly relocated to the outskirts of Lai-Kha town in 1997 by the then SLORC troops. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, August 2003)
A farmer beaten to death while working at a farm in Lai-Kha
On 5 May 2003, a patrol of SPDC troops beat to death a farmer who was working at a remote farm near Wan Naa village (relocated) in Paang Saang village tract, Lai-Kha Township. Zaai Si-Li (male, age 35), was working at the farm when a patrol of about 25-30 SPDC troops from the base at Wan Zing village in Kae-See Township came and beat him to death. His head was severed, cut in half and put in a cave south of Wan Naa village, and his headless body was left to rot at the farm near Wan Naa. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, August 2003)
A Lahu couple shot dead in Kaeng-Tung
On 16 May 2003, troops from SPDC IB 245 shot and killed a Lahu couple near Paang Kiu village about 4-1/2 miles west of Kaeng-Tung town. The couple was from Tong Wa Nur village in Paang Kiu village tract, Kaeng-Tung Township. The Lahu couple, Kya Wo, the husband (age 28) and A Hee, the wife(age 22), together with 2 other fellow villagers, went to work as day laborers weeding a farm at Paang Kiu village. At about 3:30 pm, they returned home together after receiving their day’s wages. As the 4 left Paang Kiu village and were heading home, a truck with about 12 SPDC troops on board came from the opposite direction. As soon as it got near them, the troops opened fire at them and they all ran. The couple, who happened to be closer to the truck, were hit and they fell to the ground, while the other 2 managed to escape to their village, Tong Wa Nur. When the other villagers learned of the incident, they came cautiously to look at the site and found the couple lying in pools of their own blood. Both were dead with bullet holes in their bodies. The villagers then took the bodies back and conducted a funeral for them in accordance with their tradition.
Although the village headman and the relatives of the dead filed a complaint with the SPDC authorities in the area, and the authorities promised to look into the matter as soon as possible, no action had yet been taken as of June, when this report was received. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, September 2003)
Displaced farmers shot dead while building fences in Lai-Kha
In May 2003, a patrol of SPDC troops from LIB 515 shot at 6 farmers who were building fences at a remote farm near Paang Sa village (relocated) in Wan Thi village tract, Lai-Kha Township without warning or reason. Five of the farmers were instantly killed while the sixth was wounded and died later. The farmers were originally from Paang Sa village which had been forcibly relocated 5-6 years ago by the then SLORC troops.
The victims were:
(1) Lung Ma-La,
male, age 47;
(2) Zaai Wan-Na, male, age 30;
(3) Zaai Gan-Ta-Ma, male, age 31;
(4) Zaai Loo male, age 27;
(5) Zaai Laek, male, age 25; and
(6) Zaai Yawn, male, age 33.
Zaai Yawn was wounded in his stomach while escaping and the others were killed on the spot. However, Zaai Yawn also died only 3 hours after he got back to his house and before his relatives could take him to the hospital. Zaai Yawn’s relatives and community leaders discussed the matter and decided not to file a complaint with the SPDC military authorities for fear of being accused of defaming the military and punished.
When SPDC troops from IB 64 heard about the incident and inquired with the villagers, no one dared say troops from SPDC LIB 515 were responsible for shooting the villagers. Instead, the villagers replied that they did not know who the perpetrators were. Thereafter, a patrol of about 40 SPDC troops from IB 64 and some of the villagers went to look at the place where the incident had taken place. Later, the SPDC troops said that it was difficult to do anything if the perpetrators were unknown. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, January 2004)
Fishing villagers shot dead in Khun-Hing
On 1 June 2003, troops from SPDC IB 246 shot, killed, and dumped 2 villagers who went foraging for fish into the Nam Paang river in Kun Pu village tract, Kun-Hing Township. On that day, 7 villagers from Kun Pu village in Kun Pu village tract, Kun-Hing Township, went together to catch fish in the Nam Paang river. Specifically, they went to an island called Ho Yaan, an area notorious for many incidents of extrajudicial killing by the SPDC troops since the mass forced relocation in 1996-97.
After they had caught some fish, 2 of the villagers, Lung Man (male, age 47) and Zaai Nyo (male, age 33), needed to return home before the others. They left their boat and climbed up the bank while the others continued to fish in the area. After a few moments, those who were still fishing heard several gunshots from the direction where the 2 villagers had gone. They quickly sank their boat and hid it under the water near the bank. They hid themselves in the brush on the island.
When all was quiet after a while, the villagers returned to their village only to learn that a patrol of about 30 SPDC troops from IB 246, led by Commander Htun Myint, had gone their way while they were fishing. The 2 villagers who had returned ahead of them had not reached the village. The villagers searched for the 2 men in the area where they had gone fishing. Only after 2-3 days did they find the body of Lung Man near the bank, floating and entangled in a bunch of brush wood about 40-50 yards downstream from where he had landed on the day of the fishing. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, September 2003)
A displaced woman shot dead while working at a farm in Murng-Kerng
In early June 2003, a displaced woman who was working at a farm with her husband was shot dead by a group of SPDC soldiers who wore no insignias, at a remote farm in Murng-Kerng Township. Pa Man (age 51), was working on her farm with her husband, Lung Poo. Around noon, Lung Poo went to fetch water from a valley some distance away, leaving Pa Man alone. As he was returning, Lung Poo heard 2 gunshots from the direction of their farm, so he did not go directly into the farm but went quietly close enough to find about 30 Burmese soldiers going around and searching the farm hut, talking loudly to each other. They did not wear any insignias, but there were only SPDC troops who spoke Burmese in the area.
Lung Poo then crept up a nearby hill where he could see the movements of the Burmese soldiers and waited until they had left for a while before he went cautiously into the farm. He saw his wife’s body lying right on the spot where she had been working, shot dead by the Burmese soldiers.
The couple had already lost their 2 sons to the Burmese troops during the forced relocations in 1997-1998; both were shot dead by SLORC troops. The older son, Zaai Saw (age 31), was shot dead in October 1997, and the younger, Zaai Ti-Ma (age 28), was shot dead in March 1998, and now their mother had been shot dead by SPDC troops. Lung Poo was deeply hurt by the loss of all the loved ones he had and by the way they were treated by the Burmese troops, and has become mentally disturbed since the death of his wife. The victim, Pa Man (aged 51) and her husband, Lung Poo (age 53), were originally from Wan Kyawng village in Murng Khun village tract, Murng-Kerng Township, which had been forcibly relocated to the outskirts of Murng-Kerng town in 1997 by the then SLORC troops. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, August 2003)
9 Displaced farmers shot dead in Kun-Hing
On 10 June 2003, 4 displaced farmers were shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops from IB 246 in a hut at a rice field near a relocated village, Wan Phaai, in Kaeng Lom village tract, Kun-Hing Township. The next day, the same SPDC troops shot dead 5 other displaced farmers who were working in a rice field at another relocated village, Paang Khaa, in the same village tract.
In the evening of the first day of the incident, the said SPDC patrol saw lights in the said hut and, without warning, came close and opened fire on it, killing all the 4 occupants. These 4 villagers were originally from Wan Phaai village which had been forcibly relocated in 1996-97 by the then SLORC troops. They had temporarily come back to cultivate their rice field at their old village and were staying overnight in the same hut when they were shot dead by the SPDC troops.
The 4 villagers shot dead were:
(1) Zaai Saw-Li, male, age 26;
(2) Zaai Zan-Ti-Ma, male, age 24;
(3) Naang Thawn, female, age 21; and
(4) Naang Taeng Yaen, female, age 23.
On 11 June, the same SPDC patrol saw 5 other villagers who were working in a rice field at Paang Khaa old village and, without warning, shot all of them dead in the field. These 5 farmers were originally from Paan Khaa village which had also been forcibly relocated in 1996-97 by the SLORC troops. They had temporarily come to cultivate their original rice fields at their old village when they were shot dead.
The 5 victims were:
(1) Zaai Mu male, age 32;
(2) Naang Nguay female, age 19;
(3) Zaai Kyaw male, age 37;
(4) Naang Kya female, age 30; and
(5) Pa Zing female, age 50.
It was learned that the SPDC troops suspected these displaced farmers of being members or supporters of the Shan resistance and simply shot them dead without bothering to ask any questions. The SPDC troops even took away an abandoned old shirt with SSA (Shan State Army) insignia and a pair of old boots they found at the edge of the rice field as evidence. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, October 2003)
A firewood gatherer shot dead in Murng-Yawng
On 12 June 2003, 1 of 2 Akha villagers who were gathering firewood was shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops from LIB 334 in a forest near Nam Zee village in Pa Hok village tract, Murng-Yawng Township. On that day, the 2 Akha villagers from Paang Khawn village in Pa Hok village tract, Murng-Yawng Township, had gone together to gather firewood. As they were gathering firewood in the forest near Nam Zee village in the same village tract, a patrol of 7 SPDC troops came to them. After asking some questions as to who they were and what they were doing in the forest, the SPDC troops shot at the villagers. One of them, Aa Zi (male, age 36), was hit and fell to the ground while the other, Aa Sae (male, age 36), ran and escaped.
Aa Sae ran back to Paang Khawn village and told the villagers about the incident. Later the villagers went and buried the body of Aa Zi and conducted a funeral for him in accordance with their traditions. Although after the funeral Aa Sae’s relatives and their village leaders filed a complaint with the SPDC authorities in Murng-Yawng town, no action had yet been taken as of mid-July when news about the case was last heard. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, October 2003)
A firewood gatherer shot dead in Murng-Khark
On 25 June 2003, Zaai Zaen Seng, a villager who was gathering firewood, was shot dead by a patrol of SPDC troops from LIB 327 about 2-1/2 miles west of Wan Tap village in Murng Nung village tract, Murng-Khark Township. He was 26 years old and a villager of Wan Tap village in Murng Nung village tract, Murng-Khark Township. He had gone to gather firewood in the hills west of his village and as he was returning home, Zaai Zaen Seng ran into a group of 6 SPDC soldiers who shot at him on sight.
A fellow villager was searching for his buffalo in the area. He saw the SPDC troops and hid in a bush just before Zaai Zaen Seng ran into them. The villager saw the incident, returned to Wan Tap village and told Zaai Zaen Seng’s wife about it.
After conducting a proper funeral for him, Zaai Zaen Seng’s relatives and their village leaders went and lodged a complaint with the Murng-Khark Township SPDC authorities, but no one seems to have taken any action so far with regard to this case. Zaai Zaen Seng is survived by his wife and 2 children. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, October 2003)
Akha villager shot dead, another wounded, in Murng-Phyak
On 5 July 2003, a patrol of SPDC troops from LIB 330 shot at 2 Akha villagers, killing 1 and wounding the other, near Murng Hai village in Murng-Phyak Township. Ja Shur (male, age 21) and Ja Lay (male, age 23), from Pa Yaao village in Nam Naang village tract, Murng-Phyak Township, were returning from the town market when they saw a patrol of SPDC troops near Murng Hai village, about halfway between the town and their village. The 2 villagers were so frightened by the sight of the SPDC troops that they both ran away.
The SPDC troops fired several shots after them, killing Ja Lay on the spot and wounding Ja Shur in his left shoulder. Ja Shur escaped. The villagers of Murng–Hai found and treated him before they sent him back to his village, Pa Yaao. Sometime later, Ja Shur, together with the village and village tract leaders, filed a complaint with the SPDC authorities in Murng-Phyak town and the authorities said they would look into the matter. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, December 2003)
Husband shot dead, wife raped, farm hut looted and burnt in Lai-Kha
On 19 July 2003, a patrol of troops from SPDC IB 64 shot and killed a displaced farmer, raped his wife, looted their farm hut, and burned the farmer’s body in the hut at a remote farm near a relocated village, Ho Nam, in Paang Saang village tract, Lai-Kha Township. The displaced farming family was temporarily staying and working at the rice farm near the said old village when a patrol of 12-15 SPDC troops from IB 64 came and surrounded the hut in which they were staying.
Members of the family were:
(1) Zaai Za-Lin-Ta, male, age 35,
head of the family;
(2) Naang Punt (not her real name), female, age 32, wife of Zaai Za-Lin-Ta;
(3) Zaai Kam, male, age 12, their son;
(4) Naang Leng, female, age 10, their daughter; and
(5) Naang Zing, female, age 9, their daughter.
The SPDC troops shot Zaai Za-Lin-Ta dead in the hut and all 12-15 of them raped his wife, Naang Punt, to their satisfaction. Later the troops searched the farm and took away the following: 8 baskets of paddy; 1-1/2 baskets of rice; 2 viss of salt; 2 viss of pickled soya beans; 1 pair of boots; 2 pairs of trousers; 1 shirt and a pair of sandals.
As they were leaving the farm, the SPDC troops set fire to the hut and burned it to ashes with the body of Zaai Za-Lin-Ta inside, leaving nothing for his wife, Naang Punt, and their 3 fatherless children. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, October 2003)
Villagers forced to guard road and shot dead their families arrested and detained in Murng-Nai
On 19 July 2003, 2 villagers who were being forced to guard a road were surrounded and shot dead by SPDC troops from LIB 518, near Saai Phe village in Mai Hai village tract, Murng-Nai Township. Both villagers, Zaai Tawng (male, age 45) and Zaai Pan-Ta (male, age 40), were from Saai Phe village and on the day of the incident were forced by SPDC LIB 518 to stand guard at the Murng-Nai - Larng-Khur main road. At about 1:30 pm, a patrol of SPDC troops from the same battalion, LIB 518, came and surrounded the 2 men where they were standing guard. The troops then shot at them, killing both of them on the spot.
The following day, 20 July 2003, the SPDC troops arrested the headman of Saai Phe village and wives of the 2 men they had shot dead the day before -- Naang Leng (age 41), wife of Zaai Tawng, and Naang Zing (age 40), wife of Zaai Pan-Ta -- and detained them for 3 nights before releasing them. It was later learned that the SPDC troops had accused the 2 men of secretly working as informers for the Shan resistance and as a result, shot them dead. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, November 2003)
A villager shot dead in Kun-Hing
On 19 August 2003, at about 7:00 am, a patrol from SPDC IB 264 shot and killed a villager named Zaai Zan-Ta just outside Paang Hok village in Nawng Mai village tract, Kun-Hing Township. As Zaai Zan-Ta was leaving Paan Hok village to cut bamboo in the forest, he ran into a patrol of about 10 SPDC troops from IB 246. The SPDC troops shot and killed Zaai Zan-Ta, went into the village, and told the villagers that they had killed a Shan rebel outside their village. After the SPDC troops left, the villagers went to have a look at the dead rebel. Yet, the villagers did not find any Shan rebel. Instead, they found one of their fellow villagers, Zaai Zan-Ta, lying in a pool of blood. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, January 2004)
Farmer shot dead in Nam-Zarng
On 23 August 2003, a farmer who was fetching water was shot dead on the bank of Nam Taeng river by a patrol of SPDC troops from the 55th Division near Paang Sa village in Loi La village tract, Nam-Zarng Township. Later his pregnant wife was beaten and tortured, which caused her to suffer a miscarriage and mental disorder.
Saang Zi-Na (age 45), and his wife, Naang Non, and some of their fellow villagers were working and staying overnight at their farm near the Nam Taeng river some distance from their village, Paang Sa. Saang Zi-Na was shot dead by the said SPDC troops while he was fetching water on the bank of Nam Taeng River. When his wife and relatives found his body the next morning, half of his face had been blown away and his body was riddled with bullets. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, December 2003)
Displaced farmers shot at, wife killed and husband wounded, in Lai-Kha
Sometime in early 2003, a patrol from SPDC LIB 514 shot at 2 displaced farmers, husband and wife, at a remote farm in Wan Saang village tract, Lai-Kha Township. The husband escaped with a shoulder wound while the wife was killed instantly. Pun-Nya and his wife, Ae Naang (age 32), were originally from Pa Kaang village in Wan Saang village tract, Lai-Kha Township, which had been forcibly relocated in 1996-97 by the then SLORC troops.
The displaced couple was temporarily staying and working at their remote farm in the area of their former village, west of Haai Seng village (also relocated), when a patrol of about 40 SPDC troops from LIB 514, led by Commander Htun Mya Oo, came and surrounded the farm.
It was in the morning and the couple was sitting around a fire in the hut, cooking. When the troops saw smoke coming out of the hut, they opened fire without saying or asking anything. A bullet hit Pun-Nya’s left shoulder and he jumped out of the hut and escaped. The SPDC troops then ran into the farm and closer to the hut while shooting at it. Ae Naang was hit in the forehead before she could leave the hut and died instantly inside.
Pun-Nya hid in the forest until the SPDC troops left the farm. Despite his wound, he went back to look for his wife only to find that she was dead. He then returned to his village and recounted the incident to his relatives who went and buried his wife for him. After his wound healed, Pun-Nya joined a group of displaced villagers who went to the Thai border and was able to relate his plight to some human rights field workers. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, March 2004)
Villagers shot dead and their mini-tractor burnt during forced labour in Lai-Kha
On 19 September 2003, 4 villagers, 3 men and 1 woman, of Paang Yong village in Wan Lur village tract, Lai-Kha Township, went to gather bamboo with a mini-tractor to build fences for troops from SPDC IB 64. When the villagers were on their way to the bamboo forest, they were shot at by a group of SPDC troops and their mini-tractor was burnt. The 3 men were killed on the spot while the woman rolled off the tractor and escaped.
The 4 victims were:
(1) Lung Tawng, age 53, killed on the spot;
(2) Lung Kam, age 51, killed on the spot;
(3) Zaai Mu, age 38, killed on the spot; and
(4) Naang Maat, age 27, ran and escaped.
Even though the surviving villager was sure that it was SPDC troops who were responsible, she did not know the unit to which they belonged. When the villagers tried to lodge a complaint with the SPDC troops in the area, the troops said, “It could only be your Shan soldiers. Our troops have not left the camp over the last 4-5 days.” (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2004)
Displaced villagers shot dead and their mini-tractor burnt during forced labour in Nam-Zarng
On 13 October 2003, a displaced villager who was gathering bamboo was smothered to death, and another was shot at while escaping, by a patrol of local SPDC troops in the forest in Kun-Hing Township. Lung Pho Ma (male, age 47) and Zaai Nyo (male, age 30), were originally from Paang Kawk village in Saai Khaao village tract, Kun-Hing Township, which had been forcibly relocated to the outskirts of Kun-Hing town in 1997 by the then SLORC troops.
The 2 men were cutting bamboo in the forest, having left their ox-cart alone not very far away with the 2 oxen tied to it feeding on a bundle of hay, when a patrol of SPDC came their way. While some of the soldiers dragged away their oxen, other soldiers called the 2 men to come to them. Zaai Nyo ran away and escaped despite the fact that the troops shot after him. Lung Pho Ma, however, was captured and tortured to death. When his body was found, he was still tied up to a tree and his head was covered in a plastic bag with its mouth tightly tied around his neck.
When Zaai Nyo and village and community leaders went to report the incident to the SPDC troops, the deputy camp commander told them that his troops had not gone anywhere on the day of the incident because they were having a meeting. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, February 2004)
On 21 October 2003, 3 displaced villagers were fishing along the banks of the Salween river about 3 miles south of Ka Li village when a patrol of SPDC troops shot them dead and dumped their bodies into the Salween river. The troops were from Ta Kaw camp in Ka Li. The 3 victims, Zaai Thun (male, age 16), Zaai La (male, age 22) and Zaai Mon (male, age 24), were originally from Long Maw village in Wan Lao village tract, Kun-Hing Township, which had been forcibly relocated to Ka Li village relocation site in 1996 by the then SLORC troops.
The bodies of the 3 villagers were found stranded some distance downstream by some fellow villagers 4-5 days later. At about the same time, some SPDC troops from the unit taking security of the Salween river bridge at Ta Kaw village told villagers in Ka Li village that they had shot dead 3 Shan rebels who were catching fish in the Salween river 5-6 days before and dumped their bodies in the water some 3 miles south of the village. (Source: SHRF Monthly Report, SHRF, March 2004)
Note: Mergui-Tavoy District is an area demarcated by the KNU as part of Karen territory. Mergui-Tavoy falls into SPDC demarcated Tenasserim Division and is under the patrol of the 4th Brigade of the KNLA. The SPDC does not recognize Mergui-Tavoy as an official district.
On 21 March 2003, a conflict broke out when some soldiers from SPDC IB 25 went onto the stage of a traditional stage show (Zaat Pweh) in Taung Thon Lon, 30 miles east of Tavoy in Tenasserim division. Once on the stage, the soldiers harassed the female dancer by petting and squeezing her in front of the audience. The regime backed people’s militia (Pyithusit) members from Taung Thon Lon village warned the soldiers that they must stop harassing the female dancers in front of the public. Their warning ignited the anger of the soldiers who started shooting at the Pyithusits. The Pyithusits retaliated in time. As a result, the "Zaat pweh" audience ran away panicked. The shooting ceased after the Pyuthusits departed from the scene leaving 18 villagers dead and 25 wounded. Four SPDC soldiers and one Pyithusit died. Information about those who were wounded was not available. In the morning, both parties sent a report to No.1 Strategic Command HQ, which is stationed at Myitta village, stating that "The KNU soldiers attacked the show after midnight.” (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report; Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information, KNU, March 2003)
On 10 September 2003, a platoon from LIB 408 shot and killed 3 villagers who were in bamboo rafts on the Tavoy River. The villagers were shot dead while they were trying to stop their raft after the soldiers ordered them to stop in order to extort money from them. According to the soldiers’ story, the 3 villagers had tried to escape when they were ordered to stop. In reality the villagers could not stop their raft at the point where the soldiers ordered them to do so because of the strong current. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, September 2003)
On 19 September 2003, a 20-men troop from SPDC IB 224 led by Major Tun Tun entered Maw Kee IDP site at Manorone area in the east of Mergui. One child and one adult were shot dead when the military opened fire on the IDP site. The troops captured 3 families (12 people) and sent them to the Manorone forced relocation camp. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, September 2003)
On 20 September 2003, a squad of soldiers arrived to Panwepoklo village, Palaw Township and killed 1 villager named Saw Hei Nay (age 48), son of Saw Beet, without any question. This squad was arranged by the No.12 Military Training School head master, Col. Tin Myint. (Source: Monthly Human Rights Situation Report: Tenasserim Division, Mergui-Tavoy District Information Department, KNU, September 2003)
On 21 December 2003, troops from SPDC IB 262 led by Bo Lay shot at one of U Thar Kan's boats and 2 of U Hla Win's boats, which were carrying logs near Sadetgyi Island. Ko Kyaw Win (age 32), from Kinshav village died from the shooting. Other workers jumped into the water. Bo Lay shot at the boats because he did not get a cut of the money from the Battalion Commander. (Source: THRF, 2003)
Table of Contents Facts on Human Rights Violations in Burma 2003