Monday, 19 September 2011 23:19 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burmese army troops have arrested 12 Kachin villagers in Namhpathka Village in Momauk Township in Kachin State, according to La Nang, a spokesman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). He said they were suspected of helping the KIO.
Government troops from Light Infantry Unit No. 387 based in Namhpathka Village, 10 miles from the Taping hydropower project site, arrested men between the ages of 14 and 70. The villagers were tied with ropes and detained at the government troop’s base, he said.
Local residents said they thought that the government troops suspected the villagers had connection with the KIO. La Nang said: “Although they [the government] said they were using democratic principles, the government troops caught local residents and tortured them. If they want to shoot, they can come to the KIO bases and shoot.”
Similarly, Mai Ja Yang of the Kachin Women's Association said that Infantry Unit No. 105 and No. 75 also made arrests in August to interrogate villagers about cooperating with the KIO.
“When they could not find any proof, the villagers were released,” said Mai Ja Yang, who is based in Kunming, China, bordering with Kachin State.
Since August 2, there have been three meetings between KIO and the Kachin State government’s peace representatives, but no agreement has been reached and negotiations have been postponed.
The arrested villagers included the following, according to the KIO.
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burmese army troops have arrested 12 Kachin villagers in Namhpathka Village in Momauk Township in Kachin State, according to La Nang, a spokesman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). He said they were suspected of helping the KIO.
Government troops from Light Infantry Unit No. 387 based in Namhpathka Village, 10 miles from the Taping hydropower project site, arrested men between the ages of 14 and 70. The villagers were tied with ropes and detained at the government troop’s base, he said.
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| KIO troops inspect weapons on the front line in this file photograph. Villagers who are accused of supporting the KIO are frequently interrogated and arrested. |
Local residents said they thought that the government troops suspected the villagers had connection with the KIO. La Nang said: “Although they [the government] said they were using democratic principles, the government troops caught local residents and tortured them. If they want to shoot, they can come to the KIO bases and shoot.”
Similarly, Mai Ja Yang of the Kachin Women's Association said that Infantry Unit No. 105 and No. 75 also made arrests in August to interrogate villagers about cooperating with the KIO.
“When they could not find any proof, the villagers were released,” said Mai Ja Yang, who is based in Kunming, China, bordering with Kachin State.
Since August 2, there have been three meetings between KIO and the Kachin State government’s peace representatives, but no agreement has been reached and negotiations have been postponed.
The arrested villagers included the following, according to the KIO.
| Age | Name |
| 14 | Maran Dashi Hla |
| 17 | Maran Brang Di |
| 18 | Hpau Sang Hla Nu |
| 18 | Dashi Mung Aung |
| 59 | Hpau Sang Hpan Wa |
| 52 | Maran Yaw Htung |
| 25 | Wan Shawng |
| 20 | La Mung Aung Ra |
| 30 | La Zing Naw Htoi |
| 70 | Labang Hla |
| 19 | Da Maung Di |
| 48 | Myint Nai |
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