Bkk Post-Burma uses prisoners as ar

[tinkyi@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Bkk Post-Burma uses prisoners as army porters

March 13, 1999
Burma uses prisoners as army porters
Forced to carry arms to battle zones

Supamart Kasem

Hundreds of Burmese prisoners have been dispatched since early this year to
deliver arms for the Burmese army's operations against the anti-Rangoon
Karen National Union opposite Tak, according to a border official.

Burmese authorities have deployed prisoners from jails in Moulmein, Thaton
and Mingale to join a number of Burmese villagers forcibly conscripted as
porters from many border and inner towns to transfer war weapons, ammunition
and food supplies to Burmese military units in border areas opposite Mae
Sot, Mae Ramat and Tha Song Yang districts of Tak, where several KNU
strongholds are located.

According to the source, Rangoon plans the deployment of at least 6,000
soldiers from the Southeastern Force, the 22nd and 44th divisions, to
surround and attack all KNU strongholds in these areas by the end of this
dry season.

In a related development, Thai security forces recently nabbed 14 Burmese
villagers who had fled fighting from Burma to Tha Song Yang district after
being forced to work as porters for Burmese troops.

One of the arrested Burmese said at least 200 prisoners had been ordered to
serve the army as porters in that area.

According to another border source, Burmese troops managed to seize the
KNU's 7th division in Ta Doh Thu Ta opposite Ban Ok Pha Loo of Tha Song Yang
district last week, after clashes with some 200 KNU rebels led by Lt-Gen
Htay Maung.

After the incident, a total of 200 Thai soldiers together with artillery
arms were deployed to ensure security in Ban Ok Pha Loo, on the orders of
Fourth Infantry Regiment Task Force commander Col Chayutti Boonparn.