Villagers forced to Join as Militias in Kaw-zar-town

Villagers forced to Join as Militias in Kaw-zar-town

Independent Mon News Agency
November 10, 2005


Villagers have been ordered to work as militias for their village by
the Military Tactical Commander in Southern Ye Township in Kaw-zar-town
area.

The Tactical Commander under the Military Operation Management Command
No.19 ordered people from 15 villages in Kaw-zaw-town area to work as
militias for their village and forced the villagers to do so by a
system of lottery.

"If you get a lottery number you have to work as a militia for your
village. If you don't want to work
just cough up 200,000 Kyat to commander, Col. Myit Aung immediately,"
a villager said.

According to villagers, at least 10 men from a village were forced to
work as militias. Because they hated to work as militias many youth
from the area escaped from their village. Some have fled to Ye town and
Thailand.

"I don't want to leave my village. If I get the lottery number, I
will serve," said a villager from
Yin-Ye village that has less than 10 young people.

According to a villager people wanted to avoid working as militias
because village headmen and militias have been known to be killed by
both Burmese troops and Mon
rebels.

Village headmen and militia groups in the area were arrested regularly
by the military government if there was fighting in the village.

Another tactical commander, Col.Tan-Toe also ordered villagers in the
area to fence their village as protection against Mon rebels.

In Kaw-Zar- Town area, the government launched military operations
against Mon rebels that controlled the area in 2003-2004. Currently
troops control the area having changed Kaw-zar village to a town.

During the military operation villagers in the area faced serious human
rights violations by the troops.



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