FBR REPORT: Extortion
by Burma Army and Road Construction in Southern Karen State
Karen State, Burma
7 October, 2011
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Free Burma Ranger teams in Southern
Karen State (Tenasserim Division) graduated from Leadership and Relief
Team Training and conducted a humanitarian relief mission in an area
along the Tenasserim River where a foreign company is building a road.
The teams also did a Good Life Club program and treated medical patients
in a nearby camp where migrant workers make a living cutting bamboo.
The road under construction will be used to transport coal being mined
further west in Burma. The Burma Army provides security for the construction
project. Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 556, commanded by Myint Khaing
and part of Military Operation Command (MOC) 13, is one of the units
in this area.
Map showing area of report
Map of Mergui/Tavoy area of Burma
Three Burma Army soldiers in a nearby village
Local leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU, pro-democracy ethnic resistance)
reported activities of Colonel Tin Win, commander of Tactical Operation Command
(TOC) 2 under MOC 13. All of these activities occurred in Ler Hpa Doh Village
along the Tenasserim River in Ler Mu Lah Township, Southern Karen State. He
summoned chainsaw owners to give him 100,000 Kyat per chainsaw on 15 September
2011, or else they are not allowed to work with their chainsaws. He also summoned
motor boat owners who transport goods along the river to give him 200,000 Kyat
per trip along with 2 gallons of gasoline. On the same day, he accused two men
in the area of having contact with the KNU and forbade them from travelling
outside their village. He confiscated 2 mobile phones and said they must give
him 500,000 Kyat per phone to get them back. On 21 September 2011, he ordered
his men to collect 2 sacks of rice from each boat owner in the region to refill
his damaged rice. Often boat owners in this area are required to transport rice
for the Burma Army free of charge and using their own fuel, and they are responsible
for replacing rice that becomes wet or otherwise unusable during transport.
The cost of one sack of rice at this time in this area is 25,000 Kyat. Any boat
owners who do not obey this order cannot travel through this area.
Road construction work site
Car road built by company to transport coal
Medics treat patient
Health class during Good Life Club program
Making bracelets during Good Life Club program
Relief Teams graduation Southern Karen State 2011
The Free Burma Rangers’ (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and
love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity
or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human
rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under
the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational
resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military
attacks.
