Karenni died in relocation site

[caroline@xxxxxxxxxx]

Press Release
August 20, 1996


large number of Karenni refugees in new relocation site

	At least 150 newly-relocated Karenni refugees died within the
month of July at the new relocation site in Shar Daw town, Karenni state,
claimed by a Karenni refugee who has spent some time in the relocation
site and recently arrived to Thai-Burmese border. 
	Local Karenni villagers living in 98 villages between Pun Creek
and saloon river in Karenni state were forcibly ordered to move to new
relocation site in Shar Daw town by June 7, 1996. Anyone found after the
deadline would be shot, according to an order issued by Regional Command
Military Strategy Headquarters based in Loikaw. 
	Without assistance by the authorities and lack of medical care, at
least 150 Karenni, most of them were children and elderly, died of malaria
and diarrhea in July, according to U Pe Reh, a Karenni refugee who has
spent some time in the new site and escaped to Thai-Burmese border
recently. "People had to stay in monasteries and churches with extremely
crowded condition and no medical assistance was given. At least 4-5 people
died daily." said U Pe Reh. 
	Similarly, about 2,000 refugees arrived to the border area are
also facing with the same health problem. "At least 10, most of them are
children, died of malaria and diarrhea since July and many are ill," a
medic working with the Karenni refugees explained. "Many of them got sick
or seriously ill due to their hard journey to the border and heavy rain on
their way," said by refugee worker working with the recently arrived
Karenni refugees. "There are many Karenni hiding in the jungle because
they neither go to relocation site nor could manage to walk to the border.
We do not know their plight, but believe their situation would be worse,"
added by other worker. 
	Addition to the death of disease, many Karenni villagers were
killed by the Slorc troops for failing to obey the order. All the barns
were burnt and people were shot in the deserted village. In the last week
of July, U Law Reh, 53-year-old Karenni from Daw Tama village was burnt to
death along with his house while he was inside, said a 70-year-old refugee
woman from the same village. She was left behind in the village because
she could not walk to the border. She arrived two days ago to border along
with two companions since she dare not to stay anymore in the village. 
	Bu Me, a 50-year-woman from Daw Hti Kaw Le village was dragged our
from her house by the LIB 305 in the last week of July and shot twice at
her stomach. She died constantly according to Ngar- Reh, an eyewitness
from Daw Htaw Vee Me Le village. 
	Slorc has also issued the order of forced relocation to the
villages in Prusoe township to move to the new site under their control.
"Slorc is undergoing its infamous four cuts operation to suppress the
Karenni forces. The innocent Karenni people are vulnerable under this
cruel operation" an official from Karenni National Progressive Party said.
" we hope many more refugees will be arriving, but current heavy rain and
flood make them difficult to get here." he further said. 

ABSDF News Agency
ABSDF (DAWN GWIN)