KNU Report March 10,1997

[So_Nou@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Border Situation Update      March 10, 1997
KNU No. 6 Brigade area

It has been reported that approximately 500 villagers (men, women and
children) fleeing the approaching Slorc army are currently trapped in the
Three Pagodas Pass area. The Thai army presently manning the border has
refused entry for these refugees into Thailand. Nor will they provide a
temporary safe area. These refugees are stranded. A few refugees who have
escaped have confirmed movement of the Slorc towards this area with ten empty
trucks in tow. These empty trucks are believed to be used by the Slorc to
forcibly remove these refugees from the border and to relocate them to a
guarded encampment. This will provide the Slorc with additional forced labor.
Previously returned refugees who managed to escape back to a safe area stated
the establishment of guarded, enclosed camps in which the Slorc forced
refugees to remain, and used these jailed refugees as forced labor.

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