The brunt of the fighting comes to the people – as usual

Written by S.H.A.N.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011 13:04

Since 22 February, travel between the Monghsu gemland and the rest of Shan State has been
restricted. But since 13 March, when the Burma Army launched the offensive with at least 19
battalions on the Shan State Army (SSA) North that had turned down its “One country one
military” program, the situation has turned from bad to worse in Monghsu and its neighboring
townships: Kehsi. Tangyan and Mongyai.

The following are the first reports that have reached SHAN from the conflict zone:

Nampook village, Phak Narm village tract, Kehsi township

On 9 March 2011, a cow worth 500,000 kyat ($500) was taken by the Langkher-based battalion
(number of unit unidentified) for food. Later on 14 March 2011, another cow worth 600,000 kyat
($600) was taken from the main village, Phak Narm. There was no compensation.

On 15 March, Capt Min Min Hlaing, commander of the unit, summoned Loong Sai, 50,
headman of Wanwarp to Nampook. On his arrival, the major accused him of being late and
punched his face and kicked him several times. His soldiers later visited Loong Sai and asked
him to stay calm as the major was a habitually short tempered person.

Namlao, Mongkao tract, Tangyan township

On 16 March 2011, after the SSA had retreated from Namlao, more than 100 villagers, most of
them women, children and the elderly people, were detained at the military camp. The
occupying force was made up of Infantry Battalion 33 (Mongkao-based) and Infantry Battalion
291 (Lashio-based).

On the next day, young people in Mongkao were summoned and detained at a villager’s house
in Namlao. They were accused of assisting the rebels by not giving information to the Army.

As a result, more than 500 people had fled and taken refuge in the jungle. Their left behind
possessions were ransacked and looted by the soldiers. At least 50 motor vehicles were taken
each for his own

Markman village, Kehsi township

On 18 March 2011, Maj Aye Aung of Light Infantry Battalion 578 (Langkher-based), 67 strong,
took the following items without paying:
Liquor            50 bottles        Price K 50,000 ($50)
Chicken         150                 Price K 400,000 ($400)
Cooking oil     5 pails             Price K 170,000 ($170)
Ajinomoto      10 bags           Price K 20,000 ($20)
Rice               1 tang             Price K 20,000 ($20)

On the next day, he and his men arrived at Pa Tep village and commandeered a bullock cart for

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The brunt of the fighting comes to the people – as usual

Written by S.H.A.N.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011 13:04

use. The owner Sai Pi, 45, and another youth Sai Aung, 25, were beaten as they had no
information about the rebels.

Sai Pi was punched, kicked and beaten with a piece of wood used as a fence stake, until he
was drenched in blood. As for Sai Aung, he was hit on his forehead with a rifle stock.

They also took 50 liquor bottles, 20 bottles of cooking oil, 5 cooking pots, 10 Ajinomoto bags
and 3 Buddha images from the village.

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