Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA)

August 6, 2003

Increased food costs for SPDC commando in villagers

During the troops of commando from Southeast Command is deploying in Kawpanaw village in Kyaikmayaw Township of Mon State, the village headmen have to pay for increased daily food costs and later they feared that they could not pay.

A group of commando is led by Sergeant Htet Naing have operated their military activities in the area around that poor village and the headmen have to provide about 2500 Kyat per day.

The village headmen have to pay for the food cost for 20 troops for nearly one month and food cost has been gradually increased until the headmen is unable to find enough money to pay for food costs, said by a disappointed village headman.

“When the soldiers have stayed in the village for several days, the village headmen has no more money to pay. We also don’t want to collect money from the villagers. If we inform the soldiers about our difficulties, they will blame us. All of us are disappointed”, said by a village headman.

The soldiers are sent by the Southeast Command to operate the military activities in the area.

Recently, the troops deployed only a short days in the village and the villagers did not have to pay money for the soldiers to spend for foods. They also did not demand money from the villagers.