Mon State at War

BUDDHIST MONKS USED AS HUMAN SHIELDS DURING OFFENSIVE

By Sem Ong/ Kao-Wao

YE, Dec 3, 2002 -- Burmese Army Light Infantry Battalion No. 299 has abducted Mon Buddhist monks, women and children in southern Ye township and used them as human shields during a military operation against the Mon armed group, the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party, starting in November, local sources said.

According to victims from Mi Taw Hlar in Southern Ye township, the Burmese army battalion deliberately aimed at monks, women and children during the operation in the village. Some villagers were killed and injured by rampant shooting that took place.

The Burmese troops made the monks march in front of them and mixed the women and children among the troops when they launched their offensive against the Mon guerrillas who had subjected their positions to a strong attack.

Headmen reported that the homes of the villagers were looted by the Burmese before they were forced to join the offensive against the Mon rebel group.

On November 9, Major Myint Oo of LIB No. 272 entered Mi Taw Hlar, shooting randomly throughout the village and killing one villager. Similarly, shots fired by the Burmese Navy also killed one villager, Nai Lun Shein 40, of Khaw Zar village at the same time. Three other villagers Ko Aung 42, Nai Shwe Hman 70 and his 68 years old wife, were injured, a local villager said.

The source added that Light Infantry Battalions Nos. 299, 343, 282 and 273 have been engaged for three months in a joint operation to wipe out the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party which broke away from the New Mon State Party about a year ago.

"They (SPDC soldiers) ordered a Buddhist monk to walk in front of the column shouting loudly, We are civilians, don't shoot us," said Mi Nge, a woman who escaped to the Thailand border. Even older people and children as young as nine years had been forced to march as porters

mingling with the Burmese troop she added.

About 300 villagers were forced to accompany the Burmese troops, according to another woman who did not want to identify herself.

Over 60 villagers were recruited to carry the supplies which the troops looted from the village after the fighting took place near Pauk Pin Kwin village, said the women.

SPDC military Battalion No. 273 issued an order prohibiting local people from going to their plantations or from fishing at sea for a three month period.

Many have chosen to migrate to Thailand since they have been been prevented from working outside their villages, said Mi Moe, a youth leader from Wang Tmaw village in southern Ye township. She added that her village depends on fishing to survive. She left her two children behind in the village. 

According to five villagers who recently fled from the Burmese Army operation, forced portering, looting, torture and extortion are very common.

KAO WAO NEWS GROUP

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