Jan 18, 2005

Chin: Burma army uses forced labour at Chin State


The soldiers of Burmas military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) are forcing the local population in Chin State to be military porters, carrying army supplies and building new army outposts.
The soldiers of Burma’s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) are forcing the local population in Chin State to be military porters, carrying army supplies and building new army outposts.


Moreover, there have been reports of sexual harassments and rapes committed against the local women by the soldiers.

These soldiers are said to be from Infantry Battalion (LIB) – 269 based at Tunzang and Tiddim Townships in northern Chin State. A Chin local resident told DVB that the soldiers are forcing the villagers from Pan Khaing Village to build army outposts and carry army supplies to areas, 30 miles away from their village, near the Indian borders. Villagers have also been detained against their will at army bases, and they are forced to do menial jobs such as drawing water for soldiers. During the night, the soldiers visit the homes of the villagers with the excuse of checking the guest lists, and do unsavoury things to women folks especially those without men folks.

There has also been an increase posting of Burmese soldiers in neighbouring Htantalan and Matupi Townships in southern Chin State since 1994. The soldiers have been forcing the local people to be military porters, “volunteers” and confiscating their lands, prompting thousands of villagers to flee to the neighbouring countries and living as refugees or illegal migrants.

Sources: Democratic Voice of Burma