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Demands for Intelligence

 

The SPDC Army is very much considered an army of occupation by Karen in Karen areas and as such it is almost universally feared and despised.  This, however, does not deter the Army from trying to force the civilians in Karen areas to provide direct help to military operations.  The help can take many forms from forced labour at Army camps as sentries and messengers (see above under ‘General Forced Labour’), to orders to village elders to report information on the activities of everyone in their villages and on any movements of the opposition forces.  Orders demanding village elders to ‘report information’, or to attend meetings to discuss ‘security matters’ or ‘control matters’ are for this purpose.  The elders are thus put in a very difficult situation:  if they report nothing they are accused of withholding information and will be severely punished if the opposition later attacks the SPDC forces in the area, but if they report anything the Army often accuses them of having contact with the rebels.  In many Karen areas the elders are told by SPDC officers that they are responsible for keeping the Army fully informed of all opposition activities, and they are seriously punished if Army units are then subsequently attacked or hear of opposition forces moving through the area.  The punishment often includes the arrest and torture of the village elders, burning of houses and sometimes the relocation of the entire village.  For example, in Order #355 an intelligence officer writes, “if the rebels plant landmines, lurk for fighting or landmines explode on the roads, hills, ridges, at the entrance or exit gate of the village, or 3 miles around your village, it is the responsibility of the village concerned, so you will have to give fine money of 50,000 Kyat.”  The officer than goes on to say in the same order, “If you know information about the rebels, the place where the rebels plant landmines, you must come quickly to report information to the column.  If you fail, harsh action will be taken for the withholding of information, we are notifying the village females/village males of this.”  In Order #366 an SPDC Captain states, “We know that U aaaa didn’t come to report information to the previous unit.  But you must come when I call now.  Hope that you will come.  There is nothing to worry or be afraid.  Guaranteed.  If you don’t come, you must worry and be afraid.”  The camp commander in Order #396 tells the village head that he knows which KNLA unit passed through the village, how many and what weapons they were carrying, but still tells the chairperson that he, “must tell if this news is right / not right and if a lie is told, it is the responsibility of the chairperson.”

Various kinds of ‘registers’ are also regularly demanded by the Army from the village heads.  These registers show various kinds of information about the village.  For example, Orders #358 and 398 show various formats for ‘registers’ and what information the Army wants collected from the village.  Some orders such as Order #356 and 380 demand such things as the number of males and females over 12 years old, number of houses, number of monasteries, churches and mosques, the number of students and teachers, the number of clinics and medics, the number of bullock carts, buffaloes and cows, the different ethnicities of the villagers, register of political parties, people who used to be members of resistance groups, register of people who have returned from being refugees, and the names of people who are currently refugees.   The SPDC is able to use this information in various ways.  The information on the village population is useful in allocating forced labour and demands for ‘fees’; the crop acreage is used in allocating crop quotas and Army ‘taxes’ based on field acreage, and also to decide on extortion amounts.  The demands for every detail of schools, churches and monasteries are partly so the Army can monitor their activities, but the demands themselves are probably intended as a form of intimidation; villagers and townspeople throughout Burma are often terrified to do anything simply because they believe they think the Army already knows everything about them.  Other such orders (including Orders #356) often demand information such as the number of rice mills, sawmills, bullock carts, elephants and boats in the village, both to allocate ‘fees’ on these things and to demand their use by the Army.

Order #378 is labelled ‘Secret’ and demands the names of any villagers who have gone abroad to work.  The SPDC insists on checking everyone deported back to Burma from Thailand who were arrested as illegal immigrants to determine if they are really Burmese or not or if they have links to opposition groups.  These registers may be used for that purpose.  The order says, “collect the register of people who crossed the border illegally …” indicating that the register may be used to punish those people upon their return.

The orders in this section specifically call on village heads to provide intelligence to the local military, though demands for intelligence are also included in the orders of several other sections in the report.


Order #355 (Thaton)

             To:                                                        Stamp:                                        Date: 17-1-2002
                  Chairperson                 
        #3 Light Infantry Battalion
                  xxxx village                 
         Military Staff Department

Subject:            Giving warning to the village females / village males

(1) Regarding the above subject, if the rebels plant landmines, lurk for fighting or landmines explode on the roads, hills, ridges, at the entrance or exit gate of the village, or 3 miles around your village, it is the responsibility of the village which is concerned, so you will have to give fine money of 50,000 Kyat.

(2) If you know information about the rebels, or the place where the rebels plant landmines, you must come quickly to send the information to the column.  If you fail, harsh action will be taken for the withholding of information, we are notifying the village females/village males of this.

                                                                                                 [Sd.]
                                                                                      Intelligence Officer
                                                                                #3 Light Infantry Battalion

[On the back this order is addressed “To: Chairperson, xxxx village.”  This order clearly lays any responsibility for resistance activity in the area on the villagers.  It also lays out the amount of money that must be paid as a fine if any activity occurs.  The ‘harsh action’ referred to in the second paragraph can include arrest and detention by the Army and possibly torture.  Village heads have told KHRG of being held and tortured by SPDC Army units for reporting information, but not quickly enough.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #356 (Thaton)

                                                                                                                               Date: 19-1-2002

Subject:      Informing you to coming to meet and discuss at xxxx Camp

1.         Regarding the above subject, gather the subjects that are shown below in your village.

                        (a) Number of males/females under 12 years old
                        (b) Number of males/females over 12 years old
                        (c) Total number of people male/female
                        (d) Total number of houses
                        (e) Number of monasteries, churches
                        (f) Number of schools and students and the teachers.
                        (g) Number of health departments and medics.
                        (h) Number of bullock carts, buffaloes, and cows.
                        (i) Number of people who hold percussion lock firearms
                        (j) Family charts

2.         Gather completely the subjects above concerning your village and the other subjects that we should know.  Village Chairperson and the responsible people come without fail to send the information on 22-1-2002 at 9 o’clock and if [you] fail, necessary action will be taken, letting [you] know and you are informed.

                                                                                                           [Sd.]
                                                                                                Camp Commander
                                                                                                    xxxx  Camp

[On the back this order is addressed “To: xxxx [village], Chairperson.”  When the village head went to the meeting he was also ordered to provide a register of guests who stayed overnight in houses in the village.  These types of registers are used all over Burma to monitor people’s movements.  People can be detained by the military for failure to report overnight guests.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #357 (Thaton)

To:
     Chairperson
     xxxx [village]

                                      Date: 23-1-2002

Subject:            Gather and carry out the year 2002 family register

1.         [Regarding] the above subject, in accordance with the directive of Frontline LIB #2 Battalion, every house must post the year 2002 family register.

2.         Have to carry this out completely within 7 days starting today.  To carry it out, come to stamp the needed stamp, with respect and you are informed.

                                                                                                                   [Sd.]
                                                                                                       Stamp: Chairperson
                                                                                               Peace and Development Council
                                                                                             
xxxx Village Tract, Pa’an Township

[This family registers are lists of all family members staying in a house and they must be posted somewhere on the front of the house.  This is so the SPDC can quickly check who is in the house and see if there is anyone there who should not be.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #358 (Thaton)

                    Stamp:                                   To:                                                           24-1-2002
Frontline #102 Light Infantry Battalion  
            Village Head
        Column #x Headquarters                
          xxxx village

            Send the list of the family numbers who are living in xxxx village to yyyy village to arrive on 24-1-2002 according to the table shown below.  If you fail to send, it is the responsibility of the Village Head, you are informed.

                                                                                                    [Sd.]
                                                                                    (for) Column Commander

No

Name

Age

Father’s name

Address

Occupation

Religion

Related

Male

Female

Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #359 (Thaton)

                     Stamp:
Frontline #102 Light Infantry Battalion
         Column #x Headquarters
                                                                 To:
                                                                       Village Head
                                                                        xxxx village

            Send the register of family numbers living in xxxx village to yyyy [village] on 24-1-2002 like the table show below and if you fail to send it, it is the responsibility of the Village Head, you are informed.

                                                                                                 [Sd.]
                                                                                 (for)  Column Commander

No

Name

Age

Father’s name

Address

Occupation

Religion

Related

Male

Female

Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #360 (Thaton)

                      Stamp:                                                                                             28-1-2002
Frontline # 102 Light Infantry Battalion
          Column #x Headquarters
                                                               To:
                                                                    Village Head (xxxx) [village]

            Send the register of family numbers living in xxxx village to yyyy [village] to arrive on 29-1-2002 according to the table show below.  If you fail to send it, it is the responsibility of the Village Head, you are informed.

                                                                                               [Sd.]
                                                                              (for)  Column Commander

No

Name

Age

Father’s name

Address

Occupation

Religion

Related

Male

Female

Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________

Order #361 (Papun)

To:                                                                                                                       3-2-2002
     Chairperson
     xxxx village

1. Send the family register that you were asked to collect on 27-1-2002 with the messenger from yyyy village who comes now.  The family register must be given so it arrives today, you are informed. 
2. We informed you to send the family register at the latest on 29-1-2002 to yyyy village but we know that you haven’t sent it yet until today. 
3. Send it along with the messenger who came now and if [you] fail, it is the responsibility of the responsible Head, you are informed.

                                                                                                             [Sd.]
                                                                                           (for)  Column Commander

Important

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #362 (Thaton)

To:                                                                                                                           17-2-2002
     A'Moe (or) Moe Moe [Mother]
     xxxx [village] (Chairperson)

           We know that there was an unusual situation near the Mother’s village.  Mother, tell about the situation to the messenger who has come.

                                                                                  With thanks,

                                                                                                             [Sd.]
                                                                                                 Camp Commander
                                                                                                       xxxx Camp

[By ‘unusual situation’ he means resistance activity.  The Camp Commander is telling her that he already knows that resistance forces came to the village and wants to know what happened and who they were.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #363 (Papun)

              Stamp:                                                                                                 Date: 18/2/2002
#3 Light Infantry Battalion
 Military Staff Department

                        To:
                             Chairperson
                             xxxx village

Subject:            Calling to meet and question

            Regarding the above subject, I have to meet and question the Elder, so as soon as this letter is received now, come quickly without fail to report to yyyy village, you are informed again.

                                                                                                           [Sd.]
                                                                                                Intelligence Officer
                                                                                     Frontline #3 Light Infantry Battalion 

[When the village elder went to the village the Intelligence Officer also demanded three porters and 2 viss [3.2 kgs. / 7.2 lbs.] of chicken.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #364 (Papun)

              Stamp:  
 #3 Light Infantry Battalion
               [
Sd.]
  Military Staff Department                        To:
                                                                      Chairperson
                                                                      xxxx village                                 Date: 18/2/2002

Subject:                        Calling the Elder

                        Regarding the above subject, as soon as this letter is received, come quickly to report information to the column at yyyy village, you are informed.  If you fail, it is the responsibility of the Elder, you are informed again.

                                                                                                         [Sd.]
                                                                                              Intelligence Officer
                                                                                    Frontline #3 Light Infantry Battalion 

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #365 (Papun)

             Stamp:                                                                                                     Date: 18-2-2002
#3 Light Infantry Battalion             To:
 Military Staff Department                  Chairperson
                                                         xxxx village

Subject:            Calling the Elder

            Regarding the above subject, as soon as this letter is received, come quickly to report information to the column at yyyy village, you are informed.  If you fail, it is the responsibility of the Elder, you are informed again.

                                                                                                                  [Sd.]
                                                                                                        Intelligence Officer
                                                                                           Frontline #3 Light Infantry Battalion

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #366 (Papun)

To:                                                                                                                                21/2/2002
     Ko aaaa
    xxxx village Chairperson

            I am writing a letter.  I pray for Ko aaaa and the whole village to be healthy and rich. 
            The matter is tomorrow on 22-2-02, Ko aaaa come to report information to yyyy village Army Camp, you are informed.  The matter is nothing unusual.  We want to make a relationship with the village heads from the region and to discuss the situation of the other regions and security matters.  We know that U aaaa didn’t come to report information to the previous unit.  But, you must come when I call now.  I hope that you will come.  There is nothing to worry and be afraid.  Guaranteed.  If you don’t come, you must worry and be afraid.  There is nothing else.

                                                                                        With respect,
                                                                                              [
Sd.] Captain
                                                                                       Company Commander
                                                                                                yyyy village

[The ‘relationship’ that the Army wants to establish is one wherein the villagers must supply them with information on the movements of resistance forces in the area and guarantee that no landmines or ambushes will occur in their area, or face punishment and fines from the Army.  Note that although he tries to reassure the village head that nothing will happen, he attaches a threat at the end of the order.

______________________________________________________________________________

 Order #367 (Papun)

            Stamp:
#3 Light Infantry Battalion 
 Military Staff Department                            
                                           Date: 22/2/2002

                                                To:
                                                     Chairperson
                                                     xxxx village

Subject:            Calling Chairperson to meet

            Regarding the above subject, Chairperson yourself come quickly to report information and bring along 4 bowls [6 kgs. / 13.6 lbs.] of rice to arrive today to the Frontline LIB#3 Battalion Commander and do not fail.  If you fail, it is the responsibility of the Chairperson, you are informed.

                                                                                                              [Sd.]
                                                                                                    Intelligence Officer

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #368 (Papun)

           To:                                                                                                            25-2-02
                Chairperson xxxx village
                Chairperson yyyy village
                Chairperson zzzz village

            I am writing a letter to tell the village Chairperson.  When you come to the meeting tomorrow, [bring] the personal history of school male teachers/female teachers at the villages and [their] addresses and family registers (it is for the villagers).  Also look at how much of the village fence is finished.  You have to report when you come to the meeting.  That is all.

                                                                                                                      [Sd.]
                                                                                                          Camp Commander
                                                                                                                 xxxx Camp

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #369 (Papun)

            [To:]                                                                                                               2-3-02
                        xxxx [village]
                        Head
                                          Writing to inform you like this.

Your letter that you are writing [about] the family register, is it finished?  Commander orders you to come and send it quickly.

                                                                              From
                                                                                            aaaa
                                                                                     
       xxxx [village]

[This letter was written in Karen from one village head to another on behalf of an SPDC officer.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #370 (Papun)

              Stamp:                           To:                                                                              4-3-2002
Frontline #18 Infantry Battalion          
Chairperson (xxxx village)
 Column #x Headquarters

                     Subject:                        Invitation to a meeting.

                         Regarding the above subject, gather the village heads, then a meeting will be held, so come without fail to report to xxxx [camp] on 8-3-2002 at 10 o’clock in the morning, you are informed.

Bring 2 bowls [3 kgs. / 7 lbs.] of rice and curry for the camp commander.

[Sd.]                                                                                Stamp: Column Commander
                                                                                                      Column #x
                                                                                        Frontline #18 Infantry Battalion

[The IB #18 Battalion Commander told the village heads that they must tell the Army if they see KNU soldiers travelling near the villages.  If the villagers do not go and tell and the Army knows later, severe action will be taken against the villagers.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #371 (Toungoo)

                                                                          Stamp:
                                              
                #48 Infantry Battalion
                                               
                       Date: x-3-02
                                              
              #x Company-xxxx Camp
To:
     Secretary

            As soon as this letter is received now, bring the father’s name/his name/age concerning the son of U aaaa who was hurt by the landmine at yyyy and the summary of his personal history.  Come quickly to send the information to xxxx Camp, you are informed.

                                                                                                           [Sd.]
                                                                                          Stamp: Camp Commander
                                                                                                     xxxx Camp 

[See Order #373 below.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #372 (Thaton)

              Stamp:                                       To:
#118 Light Infantry Battalion                           Village Head
          xxxx [camp]                                       xxxx [village]

      Subject:                        Sending the information to the Army Camp

                        Have to discuss the emergency at xxxx Camp, so come without fail tomorrow on 7-3-2002 at 8 o’clock in the morning, you are informed.  The village head yourself must come.

Place:   xxxx                                                                             [Sd.]
Date:    6-3-2002                                                          Camp Commander
                                                                                           xxxx Camp

[The ‘emergency’ was that the Army had received information that KNLA soldiers had passed close to the village, but rather than going to chase them, the Army ordered the village heads to get more information.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #373 (Toungoo)

                        Stamp:
Village Peace and Development Council
             Than Daung Township
                 Bawgali Gyi Tract                    To:
                                                                     Chairperson
                                                                     xxxx village

Subject:            Bomb explosion (accident)

            Regarding the matter of the case that was complained about in the meeting on March xth, come to the army camp with 3 eyewitnesses to xxxx Army Camp, you are informed.

                                                                                                   [Sd.] x-3-2002
                                                                                              Stamp: Chairperson
                                                                               Village Peace and Development Council
                                                                              Bawgali Gyi Tract-Than Daung Township

[The SPDC Army is asking through a village tract chairperson for a village head to send three eyewitnesses to the landmine explosion referred to in Order #371.  The villagers apparently complained about the incident.  The request for eyewitnesses is likely an intimidation tactic as villagers are usually too afraid of what may happen to them later to go to an Army camp to be witnesses.  The result is that nobody goes and the complaint is dropped.]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #374 (Thaton)

             To:                                                                                                     Date: 9-3-2002
                  Chairperson 
                  xxxx village (xxxx on the side of the village)

            Letting you know.  Send surely without fail the register of the exact family numbers from the Elder’s village to xxxx Camp on 13-3-2002, you are informed.

                                                                                    [Sd.]  U aaaa, 9/3/2002
                                                                                      Stamp: Chairperson
                                                                        Village Peace and Development Council
                                                                                yyyy village, Bilin Township

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #375 (Thaton)

                      To:
                                                                                               
                           Date: 9/3/2002

                     Letting you know, you are informed.  The matter is to come to send the register of the families, you are informed.

                                    Send and arrive on 12-3-2002.

                                                                                    [Sd.]  U aaaa, 9-3-2002
                                                                         Village Peace and Development Council
                                                                                      yyyy village, Bilin Township

[On the back this order is addressed “Give to: xxxx Village Head.”]

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #376 (Papun)

To:                                                                                                                                  11-3-02
     Head
     xxxx village

             Head, send the information to xxxx Army Camp tomorrow to arrive on 11-3-02 at 07:00 time in the morning, you are informed.

                                                                                                                  [Sd.]
                                                                                                    Company Commander
                                                                                                           #x Company

______________________________________________________________________________

Order #377 (Toungoo)

                           Stamp:                                                    &nb