Mon Civil War Continues in Southern Ye

June 16, 2008

By HURFOM :

Fighting recently between the Burmese army and Mon rebel groups caused death and injuries on both sides. In the second week of June alone there were two ambushes launched from each side.

Burma Army troops under the command of Infantry Battalion No.31 were ambushed by Mon guerrillas on June 10; a captain and four soldiers were killed.

Mon guerrillas under the command of the Monland Restoration Party (MRP) fired on junta troops traveling in trucks and motorcycles from a hill near Kabya (Mahae) village at about 3 p.m.

A source close to the Burma Army told IMNA that Captain Thein Khet Hlaing, a lieutenant and three soldiers died at the scene and some soldiers were injured. Another attack killed three and a Mon rebel Major in an attack later in the same week.

"When our troops were retreating from the road, we were attacked by Burma Army soldiers and two more of our soldiers were killed. A villager also died," added Nai Pan Nyunt who split from the New Mon State Party (NMSP) six years ago.

Following the clash, Burma Army troops barred people from traveling along the Ye-Khaw Za road.

The army arrested six people including some from the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) for supporting Mon rebels active in the area.

The VPDC chairman in Yinye village, Nai Maung Ba (47), Secretary Nai Kyaw Hein (41) and member Nai Sein Maung (41) were arrested by Burmese soldiers from Infantry Battalion No.31 based in Khawzar sub-township on the night of May 29^th . Nai Gare, Nai Kya Kaung and Nai San Yi were arrested on May 28^th when they went to pay money as demanded by Mon rebels.

They were arrested for supporting the rebels and were severely beaten by soldiers. "The soldiers beat our village headman the way someone would beat cattle and pigs to death. They beat them in front of the villagers," a Yinye village who was an eyewitness told IMNA.

The troops took the VPDC members and villagers to Yindein village where they are based. Family members and relatives were not allowed to meet them.

Dozens of Burmese soldiers and their supporters were killed by Mon rebels while the Burma Army executed dozens of rebel supporters in the same way in earlier years. Recently Burmese troops tried to arrest retired NMSP members by planting a bomb at a polling station during the May 10 referendum and attempting to frame them.

Many retired NMSP members escaped from their homes however Nai Show, a former NMSP medical worker, and two villagers from Yindein village were arrested. Using torture they were forced to confess to having planted the bombs, although they denied having done so. The 35 year old medic, Nai Show, sustained such significant injuries from torture that he is now unable to speak coherently.

The military regime is trying to wrest control of the area from Mon rebels and has upgraded the village to a sub-township allowing the post of government administrators.

To control the area, the army has banned local people from going to work outside the villages. During 2004-2005 the Burmese Military Southeast Command launched a military offensive against Mon rebels and forced young women to entertain military officers and soldiers in the barracks. Dozens of women from the area were raped and were made to work as sex slaves in the barracks.

MRP troops have been active in the area for more than six years and demand financial support from villagers. Because of this many of its supporters were executed by government troops and some are still under detention. Recently the military government seriously tortured Yin Ye village headman and some villagers for funding the MRP.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News