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Most of the following orders were issued by units of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in Papun, Thaton and Pa’an District. Part of the activities of the DKBA units in these areas are to support the local SPDC military by acting as guides and in fighting the KNLA, and much of the rest of their time is spent on their own money generating projects, such as conducting or taxing commercial logging, setting up checkpoints to collect money from all vehicles and passengers, and demanding money from villages for various things. The DKBA are also involved in calling for and supervising forced labour for their own projects as well as for the SPDC. These projects involve pagoda building, road building and other activities.
DKBA orders often read much like the SPDC orders, except that they are frequently written in bad Burmese or almost equally bad Sgaw Karen. DKBA orders also tend to be more direct in their language if and when they want to put threats across. However, it is important to note that some DKBA units are worse than others, and many of the orders are written in much more genial tones than those used in SPDC orders.
We have divided the orders below into several topical sections: DKBA Recruitment, DKBA General Forced Labour, DKBA Demands for Materials and Money, DKBA Restrictions, DKBA Meetings and KPA Letters. Each of these subsections contains a brief explanation of the orders therein. Some of the orders below were written in Burmese, while the others were written in Sgaw Karen where noted. Instead of writing the DKBA’s name in Karen or Burmese, the officers usually write a series of Burmese characters which are pronounced "Dee Kay Bee Ay", but which have no meaning in Karen or Burmese. Where this occurs, we have used "Dee Kay Bee Ay" in the translations. Where they have written out the name of their Army in Karen or Burmese we have translated directly; it does not usually translate directly as Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, but as ‘Progressive Karen Buddhist National Army’ or simply ‘Karen Buddhist Army’. Where we have written DKBA, it is because it is written that way in English characters in the order.
Several of the orders in ‘Set to a Village I’, ‘Set to a Village II’, and ‘Set to a Village III’ were also from DKBA units. Additional DKBA orders are included in order sets previously published by KHRG. For more information on the DKBA, see “Abuse Under Orders: The SPDC & DKBA Armies through the Eyes of their Soldiers” (KHRG #2001-01, 27/3/01).
The orders in the final sub-section of this section were issued by the ‘Karen Peace Group’, also known as the ‘Karen Peace Army’, in Dooplaya District. For more on these orders see the section ‘KPA Letters’ below.
The following order except and the order that comes after it were sent out by the DKBA in Pa’an District where it is involved in expanding its strength by conscripting new soldiers. At a meeting held in Pa’an District in February 2002, the DKBA gave a list of 19 villages and the quota of new soldiers that each village had to give. The final comment given is ‘When [you] are sending new soldiers, do not send children’, but the age of what are considered children is not given. A DKBA deserter from this same unit interviewed by KHRG said that although the unit tries to only take people over 18 years old, in practice anyone is accepted. Below is the relevant section from this order (the full text of this order can be seen as Order #735 in the ‘DKBA Meetings’ section below). Order #653 follows on from this meeting about a month later. It is clear from this order that the unit was not successful in its recruitment drive and had to resort to the threat of taking one extra soldier from each village which did not comply by the specified date.
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“5. Discussion of the
concerned Army matters. To the enlarge the Battalion’s strength, the villages’ representatives have to send the record of the strength. 1. Kaw Kaw
6 people When sending new soldiers, do not send children and send them to arrive on 18-3-2002.” ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
Letter No - 999 Ah Hta Hta Ya / Yay x / xxx To/- Subject: Sending new soldiers Regarding the above
subject, every village has to send the allocated new soldiers on
18/3/2002, but we have seen that [only] some villages came to send
new soldiers.
[Sd.] [This typewritten order was written in Burmese and distributed to several villages in the area.] |
The following orders demand villagers for forced labour, most of which involves building, maintaining and fencing DKBA camps, building and maintaining houses for DKBA officers and their families, portering supplies and farming to grow food for DKBA units. Working conditions under the DKBA are similar to those under the SPDC. Village which do not comply with the orders are routinely threatened by the DKBA, for example Order #676 calls two elephant drivers to come to pull logs, but they have not come so the DKBA is threatening them with being labelled as rebels. The officer writes, “How many times have I ordered you? Do you have army weapons? If you are villagers, can you stay when one army orders you?”
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Order #654 (Papun) To: When you receive my letter, arrange 20 people from your village, 20 people from xxxx [village] (female, male) with machetes, crowbars all. Obey at once. From xxxx [camp].
[Sd.]
12-1-2002 [This order was written in Karen and in red ink as a warning to the village head. Similar orders were sent out to several other villages in the area. The DKBA forced the villagers to go and cut the brush around their camp.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #655 (Papun)
To:
Stamp:
18-1-2002 Subject: Writing and informing you as below. Right now, when you receive my letter about Battalion Commander aaaa’s order for the people to mill [wood] at xxxx, carry and send it at once to yyyy. You can’t stay without coming and carrying it. When this letter is received, send your people who have bullock carts. Ask them to carry it at once and it must arrive on 20-1-2002 at yyyy. Receive and obey. Writing and informing you about this.
From [On the back this order is addressed to “xxxx Village Head, send at once. Urgent Army Matter.” Written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #656 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect, writing you to know as below. The matter is when you receive my letter about the timber planks for Battalion Commander aaaa, you have to arrange bullock carts and send them at once. Receive and obey at once.
This matter is
yyyy
[On the back this order is addressed “Send to: Village Head, xxxx village, Army Matter-Urgent”.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #657 (Papun)
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
Date:
24-1-2002 Writing a letter to inform you. Writing to tell that on 25-1-2002 the motor boat owner must drive to yyyy village.
[Sd.]
24-1-2002 [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #658 (Papun)
(Karen Buddhist Army) Subject: Writing to inform you. I sent the people to you. Send 60 of your people all at the same time. Ask them to come with the watchman [sentry] immediately. Must arrive to me tonight. From
[Sd.]
aaaa
[The DKBA forced the villagers to cut and clear the brush from along the road and to act as sentries on the road. 40 people from the village went.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #659 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
6-2-2002 Date To: Writing and informing xxxx Heads to know. There is no other matter than writing a letter. Right now, xxxx Heads must help together. Right now, xxxx Head, I am, …I keep the xxxx Head as my real elder brother. Right now, Elder Brother, help me again with an elephant. Come with the elephant on 8-2-2002. Tell the elephant man Pu aaaa. Without fail. Come quickly when this letter is received. Only this. Dee Kay Bee Ay
Battalion #x, Brigade #999, Company Office [On the back this order is addressed “Give to the xxxx Head. Thanks for the postman.” This order was written in Burmese.] ___________________________________________________________________________ Order #660 (Papun) To: Village
Head
Stamp: With respect, Writing you to know about below. When you receive my letter, you must arrange 15 carriers. When received, obey today. Arrange and send at once. You do not hesitate.
[Sd.]13/2/02 [On the back this order is addressed “To: Village Head xxxx. Send at once. Urgent Army Matter.” This order was written in Karen. The villagers had to carry rice for two days.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #661 (Papun)
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
Date: Year 2002 February 15th
Subject: Demanding help about bullock carts Regarding the above subject, the bullock carts from your village, send the bullock carts that are needed with Sergeant (Saw aaaa) who was sent now, you are informed and your help is requested.
[Sd.]
15-2-02 [This order was typed in Burmese and carbon copied to be sent to several villages. The village head gave two bullock carts and the DKBA used them to carry thatch for their camp. It took one day and they paid 500 Kyat for each cart, which is much less than the 2,000 Kyat per day that villagers pay each other when they use each other’s bullock carts.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #662 (Papun)
Stamp:
This is ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #663 (Papun)
Stamp:
To: Village Head
With respect,
[Sd.] 18/2/02 [On the back this order is addressed “To: Village Head, xxxx [village]. Send at once.”] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #664 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect, Informing you as below. When you receive my letter, stop your work and come to meet at once. Come and call one of your mwee du [porters]. Receive and obey at once.
This is [This order was written with red ink as a warning to the village head.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #665 (Papun) C/O xxxx
Head
24-2-2002
From aaaa [On the back this order is addressed to “Urgent Army Matter. Send to arrive to xxxx Head”. This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #666 (Papun)
Stamp:
24-2-2002 Subject: Writing to inform you. When you receive my letter, ask and gather one mwee du carrier from zzzz [Village Tract], one from wwww Village Tract, one from uuuu Village Tract at your place and come to send them to me at once. yyyy wove the 25 baskets for bullets. Bring them along with 5 viss [8 kgs. / 18 lbs.] of the tree bark for basket rope.
From
[This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #667 (Thaton) To:
[Sd.] [The three bullock carts and drivers had to go for five days. They had to carry logs for the DKBA every day.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #668 (Thaton)
To:
28-2-2002 Writing
and informing you know.
[Sd.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #669 (Papun)
Stamp:
11-3-2002 When you receive my letter, send 100 pieces of my timber planks that you carried and kept in xxxx Camp tomorrow. Tomorrow on 12-3-2002 they must arrive at yyyyy [Camp]. xxxx, yyyy [villages] that have bullock carts, come to carry it. If it stays there longer, it will disappear.
From [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #670 (Papun)
Stamp:
To:
This is [On the back this order is addressed “To: Village Head, xxxx village. Send at once. Army Matter DKBA”. The DKBA ordered the 9 porters to carry food for the SPDC soldiers. The SPDC did not demand it themselves, but ordered it through the DKBA.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #671 (Pa’an)
To:
18-3-2002 xxxx
and yyyy heads, please when you receive my letter, nobody should
hesitate. Because I need you and there are many kinds of work, I want to
meet with you. xxxx and yyyy heads, this matter is for
unity, so [This order was written in Karen and in red ink as a warning.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #672 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 25-3-02 To: Subject: The matter of coordinating Dee Kay Bee Ay servants. Regarding the above subject, gather at yyyy [village] tomorrow on 26-3-02 to arrive at 7 o’clock, then you must go to meet and coordinate with Bo aaaa at zzzz [village], you are informed. Note: Do not fail. From #434, bring one viss
[1.6 kgs. / 3.6 lbs] of chicken.
Copy to:
[Sd.]
U bbbb [The village tract chairperson has been ordered to collect servant fees for the DKBA as well as demand a viss of chicken for the SPDC soldiers. ‘#434’ is an SPDC battalion and this village tract head is relaying demands for both the SPDC and the DKBA.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #673 (Papun)
Stamp: Date: 2-4-2002 To: Writing you a letter. When you receive my writing, arrange 3 carrier people and 2 viss [3.2 kgs. / 7.2 lbs.] of chicken and send them to arrive at 9 o’clock in the evening with yourself. Receive and obey. That is all.
Come from [Sd.]
2-4-2002 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #674 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect, informing you as below. When you receive my letter, arrange 2 bullock carts, then you go to carry wood, 4x2, 30 pieces at aaaa’s sawmill. When received, obey at once. It must arrive to yyyy [village] after 3 days. When received receive, obey at once.
This is
[Sd.]16/4/2002 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #675 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 26-5-2002 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp: That is all. Army order.
[Sd.] 25.6.02 [This order was written in Karen. The DKBA ordered the elephant drivers to pull logs but the drivers and their elephants did not go. This order is threatening them with being labelled as rebels if they ignore the order again.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #677 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
Progressive Karen Buddhist Army Subject: Head from xxxx [village]
and yyyy village [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #678 (Papun)
To:
Stamp: With respect, writing for you to know as below. When you receive my letter, tomorrow morning at 7.00 o’clock send one boat from aaaa and from bbbb. The 2 boats must arrive early in the morning at yyyy. Follow the order of the Battalion Commander and do it at once when received.
This is
[Sd.]29/6/2002 [This order was written in Karen. The village head sent the two boats and the DKBA used them to carry wood.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #679 (Papun)
Stamp: 2-9-2002 Letting you [know]. When you receive my letter, arrange one carrier from xxxx at once or money, and then you must come to cut [the bushes] at the road. Come at once on 3-9-2002. From Company Commander [Sd.] [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #680 (Papun)
To:
Date: 21/9/02
With respect,
Your elder brother,
[This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #681 (Papun)
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
Date: 23-9-02 For U aaaa, writing for you
to know with few words.
[Sd.]
23-9-02 [This order was written partially in Burmese and partially in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #682 (Papun)
Stamp:
With respect, informing you as below.
From [This order was written in Karen. The DKBA said that if the villagers did not give a porter, they must pay 200,000 Kyat.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #683 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
18/11/02
[Sd.] bbbb,
18/11/02 [This letter orders the village head to replace a porter who has fallen sick. The next day the village head took the replacement porter to the camp. The DKBA officer was not satisfied when the village head arrived so he scolded him and slapped his face four times. He said, “Why didn’t you obey the order? Now you must bring me 4 viss [6.4 kgs. / 14.4 lbs.] of chicken because you don’t respect me.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #684 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
2-12-02 Letting you know as below. When you receive my letter, you have to send three people for me to arrive on 3-12-02. Come to change in three days or four days by rotation. When received, obey.
This is all. [On the back this order is addressed “To: Head, xxxx village. Urgent Army Matter”. This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #685 (Pa’an)
Stamp: Date:
----------- Subject: Writing you to know. Regarding the above subject, writing you to know like this. The elephant that I have already told you about, if it is possible send [it to us] for building the houses for our Karen Buddhist Army’s families, look and take responsibility to do the best together. Note: With respect aaaa
Brigade 999 [This order was written in Karen.]
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DKBA Demands for Materials and Money
The orders below are DKBA demands for villages to provide roofing thatch (Orders #686, 690, 713, 719 and several others), wood (Orders #707 and 719) and rice (Order #717). Many of the demands are for thatch roofing shingles, which are labour intensive to produce; villagers must gather leaves of the specified type in the forest, cut and haul bamboo, split and shave the bamboo into sticks and ties, then weave the leaves onto the metre-long bamboo frames. An order such as #719 which calls for several villages to supply 1,000 to 2,000 shingles of thatch each could take each of these villages a week to produce, or probably two or three with all the other forced labour and their own work that they have to do. Many of the other orders demand bamboo and wood which must be cut by the villagers in the forest. Some of this is used by the DKBA while the rest, especially the wood, is sold for a profit. Order #690 demands 10,000 shingles of thatch, a huge number which could only be for the DKBA officer to sell. The DKBA sometimes pays for the work, but often at a lower rate than villagers themselves would give. In Order #690 a DKBA commander in his demand for thatch writes, “If the people pay 800 [Kyat], I will pay only 700 [Kyat].”
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To:
Stamp:
8/1/02 Informing you like this. When this letter is seen, cut and send fully 500 thatch shingles. Send them to arrive on 12-1-02 at yyyy. When this letter is received, let us know if you will do it or not. Note: [This order was written in Karen and in red ink as a threat.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #687 (Thaton)
Stamp:
Date: 19-1-2002
Writing for the village head to know. With respect to you, I have
written you to know by this letter. Village Head, when you see the
letter, the matter that Grandfather told you of the 2,000 thatch shingles,
Grandfather needs it now. Brother, you must help him about what he
told you. As I told you in my house, do not forget it. Bring
along the 300 thatch shingles for me at the same time. We need them
now.
xxxx Office [On the back this order is addressed to “xxxx Village Head. Send to arrive at once.” Written in Karen. This DKBA officer is writing on behalf of a higher ranking officer who he refers to as ‘Grandfather’. In total the village must produce 2,300 thatch shingles.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #688 (Papun)
To: Writing to inform as
below. That is all.
Comes from Corporal [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #689 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 9/2/2002 xxxx Village Head Subject: Writing to inform you of the matter as below. When you receive my letter, obey at once. Follow to make 2,000 thatch shingles and then send them for me to xxxx Camp at once. You must do it. Date: 9/2/2002 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp: Date Time 10-2-2002 To: [On the back this order is addressed “To: For xxxx Head, Army Matter, Urgent”. This order was written in Karen. 10,000 shingles is a huge amount of thatch for one village to produce within ten days. In addition to making an unreasonable demand, the DKBA officer threatens the village head if he cannot meet the deadline.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #691 (Pa’an)
Stamp: Subject: Come to meet When you see the
letter, you must come to meet with us at yyyy [village]. For the
matter of dddd’s mother, father, siblings, bring along twenty
thousand of Thai money at once. If you can’t arrange it, call them all to
come. Note: Come surely. Follow at once with the person who sent this letter.
[Sd.] 21-2-2002 ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #692 (Papun)
Stamp: Date: 14/2/2002 To: I have nothing else to write to inform you. Only that aaaa ordered you to make five thousand shingles of thatch, do it for him four cubits [184 cms. / 6 feet] by one hand span [23 cms. / 9 inches]. After that come to meet with me at once. [On the back this order is addressed to “xxxx village, Give to Village Head. Urgent Army Matter.”] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #693 (Papun)
Stamp:
15-2-2002 With
respect, writing so you to know as below. When my letter is received, you
have to arrange well with [your] siblings for timber planks for
Battalion Commander aaaa and send them to arrive after 3 days.
[On the back this order is addressed “To: Village Head, xxxx village, send to arrive. Army Matter – Urgent.” This order was written in Karen. ‘Siblings’ means the other villagers.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #694 (Papun)
Stamp: To:
24-2-2002 With respect Informing you to know as below. If you receive my letter ordering you, arrange the goods and bring them along with you immediately. Receive and obey at once.
This is [On the back this order is addressed “Give this to: Chairperson, xxxx village. Army Matter. Urgent”.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #695 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 13/3/2002 With full respect, writing you to know as below. Do not send the remaining thatch. For what you have sent, come to get money at xxxx Camp. One mill of aaaa that I told you about, I will give advance money for you at the mill of aaaa. You must let everyone who came to carry logs know and also the yyyy village head.
Ask them to come and get their money.
[This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #696 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 15-3-02 Subject: The matter of taking the correct bamboo for house building. Regarding the above subject, I want to build one house, so for building the house, cut 150 pieces of big white bamboo from your village and send it to me at xxxx [camp], letting you know and asking for help. Send it to arrive on 18-3-02.
[Sd.]
15/3/02 ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #697 (Pa’an)
Stamp: Regarding the subject, writing and informing all the village heads from xxxx, yyyy [villages]. There is no other matter than writing a letter. Right now xxxx Chairperson and yyyy Chairperson, I need one set of house posts. xxxx Chairperson and yyyy Chairperson each person find 9 posts that are 5 [inches on each side] around. xxxx 9 posts and yyyy 9 posts. On 18-3-2002 to 25-3-2002, send them to yyyy Chairperson’s house. Please and you are requested. Dee Kay Bee Ay Battalion #x Brigade #999 Company Office Lieutenant aaaa. [On the back this order is addressed “Give to xxxx Chairperson. Urgent Matter.” This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #698 (Pa’an) Date: 22-3-2002 Give to For friend aaaa Subject:
I am writing and informing you that I asked for 50 [pieces of]
bamboo from your village to help. Send it to me. I have been waiting for
too long. You didn’t send it to me. Do I have to go and get it? If you
have a problem and can’t send it let me know. I will go to get it. The
writer is DKBA Number #999 Brigade Battalion
#x [On the back this order is address “To: xxxx village, Give to friend aaaa. Urgent Army Matter complete 50.”] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #699 (Papun)
Stamp:
This is [On the back this order is addressed “To: Village Head, xxxx village. Send at once. Army matter.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #700 (Papun) To:
Stamp: I am writing and informing. Chairwoman has not sent enough thatch for roofing houses. Send another 150 thatch shingles. Send the names of the people who can’t be asked. It will be the end of the month so come to send them to arrive completely on 8-4-02, you are informed again.
[Sd.]6/4/02 [This order was written in Burmese. Sending the names is a threat that something will happen to these people for not providing what the DKBA has demanded.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #701 (Papun)
Stamp: Writing for the village head to know. There is no unusual matter. Only that the people building the Pagoda at xxxx asked for 10 viss [16 kgs. / 36 lbs.] of betelnut. You have to arrange it exactly and come to send it to xxxx Office surely. Take the responsibility and obey at once. The price will be paid. Also the village head must come at the same time. xxxx Frontline Dee Kay Bee Ay. Also call the village head to come. Instead of aaaa [On the back this order is addressed “To: xxxx Village Head. When you receive, obey at once.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #702 (Pa’an)
11th waning moon day of Ta Gu [8/5/02] The underling of the
Elder, U aaaa, was drunk, so [he was] punished. (Fine money cost for the
cement) If you fail,
Brigade #999
[The village head is being ordered to make sure that U aaaa pays his fine.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #703 (Thaton)
Stamp:
Date: 9-5-2002 I must write you to know at once. The people are building the Pagoda at xxxx now, so donate help. Help us surely if you have food and vegetables. Right now, our Battalion Commander orders us to ask for vegetables from you such as every kind of vegetable, fruits and wild banana trees. Village Head, writing so you know about this. Written truly
[illegible]
[On the back this order is addressed to “xxxx Village Head. When you receive, obey.” Written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #704 (Papun) To:
Stamp:
1-6-02 Subject: When you receive my letter, tomorrow on 2-6-2002 you must come to meet with me at yyyy. You are needed for an emergency. The wood that Uncle aaaa milled for me, carry 50 pieces of them. When received, obey at once.
From [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #705 (Papun)
Stamp: Subject: Right now, I sent a boat up to you. You have to carry down 16 pieces of small house posts for him. When received, obey at once.
From [This order was written in Karen. The wood was carried down to the boat to be sent on to a DKBA camp. No payment was given for the wood.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #706 (Papun)
Stamp: Now, I am writing you a letter. The matter is, send servant fees to xxxx [camp] to arrive on 5/7/2002.
[Sd.] [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp:
[To:]
xxxx village Full with respect, writing for you to know the matter as below. You must obey completely. Ten viss [16 kgs. / 36 lbs.] of sesame paste and 3 viss [4.8 kgs. / 10.8 lbs.] three viss of betel leaves as possible, obey for me fully. Be healthy, and happiness on you forever. Letter written by your young brother (bbbb) (or) Saw cccc
[Sd.] [Written in Karen.] ___________________________________________________________________________ Order #708 (Papun) [To:]
xxxx [village]
Stamp:
5-7-02 Subject: Writing for you to know. Tomorrow early, send one boat from yyyy [village] for me again. Also carry one hundred of loh thatch. I will carry down the timber. I milled enough for one boat again. Let you know this.
From
[Sd.] [Written in Karen. ‘Loh’ is a kind of leaf used for making thatch. The DKBA used the boat to carry wood.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #709 (Papun)
Stamp:
11-7-02 [To:] xxxx Head Subject:
This is all. [Written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #710 (Papun)
Stamp: When received, obey fully. The
village head must meet and visit me at yyyy [village]at once.
Immediately when you receive the letter, you have to understand me surely
and bring 2 viss [3.2 kgs. / 7.2 lbs.] of betel nut to
zzzz [village]. We need it, so we are writing and informing you. xxxx [camp] Duty In-Charge aaaa. [On the back this order is addressed to “xxxx village head. When receive, obey at once.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #711 (Papun)
Stamp:
With respect, only this.
[Sd.]
16/7/02 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #712 (Pa’an)
To:
12-8-2002 Subject: Money, 1,300 Kyat, that the chairperson borrowed, send it to arrive before the end of the 8th of the month, you are informed. Do not fail.
aaaa [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp:
With respect, the matter is writing you to know as ordered by the leader. Arrange 600 shingles of thatch within 2 days. After you arrange and gather six hundreds thatch shingles within 2 days, come to send them at once to yyyy [village]. Do not go directly to yyyy. Come to report to the camp, then keep going.
[Sd.]28/9/2002 [This order was written in Karen. On the left side of the letter the DKBA officer wrote down the number of thatch shingles which each village in the area had to provide.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #714 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect, Subject:
[Sd.]11/10/2002 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #715 (Papun)
Stamp: Date: 8th Day of the
waxing moon Need urgently. Do it
completely. [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #716 (Pa’an)
Stamp: Date: 23-10-2002 Major aaaa - for
building the Pagoda 1. xxxx village
4 envelopes
xxxx Village
Tract- Chairperson
Saw aaaa [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp: When received, obey. [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #718 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
To:
17-11-2002 With respect, Subject:…..I have to fence <the camp>, so you must help me with 200 pieces of bamboo. Send them to the top of yyyy [village]. Do them surely.
[Sd.] 17-11-02 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army Subject: The matter
of giving responsibility. 1. Regarding the above and in accordance with the directive, each person takes responsibility, so take responsibility for the building of Army family houses for your company. Enter and do it at the specified villages but do not enter and trespass on the boundaries of the specified villages, you are informed.
[Sd.]
22-11-2002 [Page 2] 1. For the building of Paw Htee
Ku Battalion Headquarters and the Army family houses, the villages shown
below collect thatch and bamboo, then come to send them all at the end of
12th month [December]. Villages that have responsibility for thatch 1. Htee Ghay
Law - Thatch (1,000) Villages that have responsibility for white bamboo. 1. Koh Keh Hta
- white bamboo - 300 pieces [Page 3] 2/ Captain Cheh Htee, take responsibility and collect the wood, bamboo and thatch from the villages shown below, then build the houses for the Dee Kay Bee Ay families who are staying, the duty is given to you. 1. K’Dtaing Dee [Page 4] 3/ Bo Myint Aung, take responsibility and collect the wood, bamboo and thatch from the villages shown below, then build [houses] for your Company #4 Army families, the duty is given to you. 1. Nya Tay Law [Page 5] 4/ Bo Ba Yoh, take the responsibility and collect the money for wood, bamboo and thatch fees from the villages shown below then build [houses] for the Company #5 Army families, the duty is given to you. 1. Ma Htaw [This order is from a DKBA Battalion Commander specifying which villages have to provide materials and money for the building of houses for DKBA families. Fifty-six villages are listed here as being effected by this order.]
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Several of the orders in this section restrict the movements of villagers due to military movements of the DKBA and SPDC. In Order #722 the DKBA is prohibiting any humans or animals from walking on the hills around a village and states, “if you do afterward and any dangers occur, (Dee Kay Bee Ay) troops do not take responsibility (at all), you are prohibited.” Order #720 was sent out to four villages demanding their relocation and is explicit in its threats, “you, everybody, must come and gather to stay at yyyy [village]. If the people see that you are sleeping in the forest or in a hut the people will shoot all of you dead. The people will burn your huts. None of you should stay at your houses, your houses. You must go back to stay at yyyy.” Order #725 rescinds a previous order prohibiting villagers from sleeping in their field huts due to a military operation, because the operation ended early.
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Stamp: [To:]
[Sd.] [On the back this order is addressed: “To: xxxx village, Date: 5-7-2002, Give to Tract leader quickly. Army matter urgent. Send to arrive today. Emergency matter. Army matter urgent. xxxx village.” This order was written in Karen and sent out to at least four villages in the area ordering their relocation.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #721 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 16-1-2002 Village Head, I am respectfully writing and informing you. The matter is making the family registers of male numbers and female numbers of villagers over 12 years old who are staying in the Village Head’s village, then come to xxxx Army camp to arrive on 18-1-2002, you are invited. If you fail, harsh action will be taken.
Company #x Company Commander aaaa [This order was written in Burmese. This order was sent out to several villages in the area.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
Subject: Letting you know the prohibited matter Regarding the above
subject, in accordance with the order of the Brigadier, dated on 21-1-2002
to 21-6-2002, do not allow (humans, buffaloes, cows) to climb (at all) at
all on the (hills) of Elder’s village and if you do afterward and
any dangers occur, (Dee Kay Bee Ay) troops do not take responsibility (at
all), you are prohibited.
[Sd.]
18-1-2002 Copy to- [This order was typed and written in Burmese. It was sent out to several villages in the area.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #723 (Papun)
Stamp:
Head, informing you with few words. The matter is below. When you receive this letter, make the list of the Burmese who went to get the soldiers’ things for me. What did they take, and all the names of the things. When you finish doing it, heads come to send the list.
That is all. [On the back this order is addressed “To: xxxx, yyyy [village] Head, Army Matter Urgent.”] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #724 (Papun)
Stamp: Subject: Writing for you to know as below. Now, we hear that Kawthoolei prohibits wood and bamboo surely, so none of you should sleep in the hill field huts, flat field huts in your region at all. You must let all of your villagers know.
This is [This order was written in Karen. ‘Kawthoolei’ is a slang term used by villagers for the KNU.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army Subject: The matter of reminding The Battalion Commander reordered on 4-8-2002 1. Regarding the above subject,
the letter was issued that our troops will enter and operate within the
xxxx area from 13-7-2002 to 13-8-2002, one month exactly, so do not
sleep in the flat field huts/hill field huts in the night.
[Sd.]
6-8-2002 [This order was typewritten and written in Burmese. The operation which the DKBA and SPDC were conducting seems to have ended early, so they are now allowing the villagers to go to their fields again.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #726 (Papun)
Stamp:
Progressive Karen Buddhist Army
Letter No # Ka Sa Wa / xx-x / xxx / Yay-x Subject: In accordance with the order announcement In accordance with the directive of the Battalion Commander on September 7th 2002 1: Regarding the above
subject, the logging heads who are doing large trees having malodorous
wood and hardwood in the area of the forest reserve at xxxx,
yyyy, zzzz [villages], 3 logs must be one ton, you are informed
in advance.
[Sd.] [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #727 (Thaton)
Stamp: Note: [‘Black market roads’ are paths through the forest which villagers use to trade things and do not go through DKBA and SPDC checkpoints where the villagers are forced to pay bribes to get through. This order was written in Burmese.]
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The orders contained in this section are DKBA summonses for village elders to attend meetings, which are usually held to dictate demands for forced labour, money, food, goods and materials. Village elders are expected to drop whatever they are doing and go to these ‘meetings’ at a nearby DKBA camp. These are in addition to the orders demanding their attendance at ‘meetings’ at SPDC camps. Demands for attendance at meetings are often accompanied by the phrase, “obey at once.” The officer calling for a meeting in Order #743 is even more threatening and writes, “Therefore, if [you] fail to come to meet on the specified date, if any problem occurs at the village head’s village, [we] do not take responsibility (at all)…” Order #756 threatens the village head with being labelled as a KNLA soldier if he does not come to meet; “When you receive this letter, think about yourself exactly whether you are a civilian or a person who holds a weapon?”
Order #735 contains the minutes of a meeting held by DKBA #999 Brigade Special Battalion Commander Chit Thu. In addition to the announcement of expanding the number of soldiers in the Battalion (see ‘Recruitment’ above), the situation of each of the villages was discussed. The DKBA Battalion Commander offered to solve many of the problems or contribute money, including repaying for stolen livestock and goods. Some of the promised money was apparently paid while some was not. Of note is that there were several complaints heard about Moe Kyo, another DKBA commander who is notorious in the area for his cruelty towards villagers.
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Order #728 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect, writing to inform you. When you see my letter, don’t hesitate. Come to visit me at xxxx Camp at once. Come quickly. Tell the yyyy Village Head and the zzzz Village Head and ask them to come at once.
7/1/2002 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #729 (Papun)
Stamp: Subject: Writing to
inform you as below. When you receive this letter, you must come to
attend a meeting at xxxx Frontline Office on 5-2-2002. The village
head must be free to come. Meeting time is
Signed [On the back this order is addressed: “For xxxx Head, Receive and send at once.”] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #730 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 1-2-2002 Writing to inform the Head. The matter is coming to meet and visit me at xxxx [camp] on 5-2-2002 at 9 o’clock in the morning. Come surely to the meeting on this day. Come or not, let me know quickly.
xxxx [camp]
[On the back this order is addressed to “Give to xxxx Head.” Major aaaa of the DKBA demanded one porter, but said it was not necessary to give a person. The villagers should pay 150,000 Kyat for the porter for one year. Every village in the area must give this amount.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #731 (Papun)
Stamp: When received all the Heads must obey. The meeting
is on 5-2-2002 at 9 o’clock in the morning. The meeting is at the xxxx
Office. Come surely. Come or not, let me know quickly. [On the back this order is addressed: “[To:] Give this to xxxx Head.”] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #732 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
9-2-2002 To: With a lot of respect for you, You must go and arrive
at yyyy on 10-2-2002 Sunday. Please, when you receive this
letter, do not hesitate. This is the Special Battalion, Battalion
Commander orders you to go and meet with him surely. Coolly and Nicely,
#999 Brigade [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #733 (Pa’an)
Stamp: To: xxxx Head, writing [to let you]
know. Dee Kay Bee Ay Battalion #x Brigade #999 Urgent Army Matter ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #734 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
Subject: The matter of coming to meet Regarding the above subject, in accordance with the order of the Brigadier on February 15th, we want to meet and discuss with the Elder, so come without fail to meet at Dee Kay Bee Ay, #999 Brigade Headquarters at Meh Thein Gone on 17-2-2002 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning, letting you know and you are informed.
[Sd.] 15-1-2002 Copy to- [This order was typed in Burmese and carbon copied to be sent out to several villages.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Dee Kay Bee Ay, #999 Brigade, Special Battalion Commanders and the Representatives of Local Villages Meet and Discuss
Chairman - Lt
Colonel Saw Chit Thu Program of the ceremony 1. Chairman took his place Chairman gave the opening speech with special thanks to the village representatives for attending completely. The village heads are the village representatives from the village, so when the organization of group holding arms orders, no need to be afraid and they must go and meet. There is no time for this meeting, so only the short points should be spoken and the village representatives have to present the area situations of their own villages. 5. Discussion of the
concerned Army matters. To enlarge the Battalion’s strength, the village representatives have to send the recorded strength. 1. Kaw Kaw
6 people When sending new soldiers, do not send children and send them to arrive on 18-3-2002. Theh Bone’s chairperson presented that there were health, education and sports problems. The Special Battalion Commander will help with half of the school’s fees and will help with a zinc roof for the clinic. Kyaw Koh village’s chairperson [presented] that the allied army [SPDC] took in debt from 3 shops and took 3 cows and 2 pigs. The Special Battalion Commander would help and repay these matters. Htoh Thu Kee’s chairperson asked for help to make an offering because 1 village head from Htoh Thu Kee was dead due to Bo Moe Kyo’ s [another DKBA commander] landmine, so the Special Battalion Commander helped with (100,000) Kyat one hundred thousand Kyat. Loh Baw’s chairperson presented that Bo Moe Kyo demanded over 10 loh ah pay people and it was too many. Pa Glu’s chairperson presented that Bo Moe Kyo is threatening to shoot and beat the villagers and civilians. Taw Oak’s representative presented that Bo Moe Kyo confiscated the villagers’ logs. The Special Battalion Commander would repay when they come to show a list of the logs that were confiscated. Kaw Kaw’s representative requested to be allow to set up one sawmill for building a monastery. The Battalion Commander allowed it. When [the Kaw Kaw representative] presented that Battalion #3 [DKBA] shouted and threatened when they couldn’t demand things from the people, [the Special Battalion Commander said he] would call and meet about this matter. Htee Wa Blaw’s representative presented that [they needed] wood for building a clinic. Responsibility for this matter was given to Bo Kweh Yu [DKBA officer] and the Special Battalion would help with the needed zinc sheets. Paw Law’s representative presented that they had problems with their village’s teaching school, [there were] no tables and chairs. The Battalion Commander will help with 50,000 (fifty thousand) Kyat for carpenter fees to make tables and chairs. Day Law Pya’s representative presented that when Bo Moe Kyo went to Day Law Pya, one house was burnt down with 20 baskets of paddy, the Special Battalion Commander would repay these matters. A roof for the monastery at Day Law Pya village was also needed, so the Special Battalion Commander would help. Meh Pleh Wa’s representative presented that a roof was needed for building a Buddhist ordination hall at Meh Pleh Wa village. The Special Battalion said that they would help. Thay K’Tay’s representative asked whether they can keep doing flat fields or not because of the landmines at Thay K’Tay village, the Special Battalion Commander ordered to keep doing them. Htee Kaw Htaw’s representative presented that the village monasteries were not united. For this matter, Bo Thu Rein is to continue building monasteries, schools and clinics. (6) General section (7) The discussion was closed at 3:15 in the evening with reading out of the Budan Tha Tha Nan Sirititatu [a Buddhist blessing] 3 times. List of the people’s names who attended the meeting 1. Lieutenant Colonel Saw Chit
Thu, Battalion Commander, Special Battalion #999, DKBA [This letter was written in Burmese. DKBA deserters from the area have told KHRG that some of the above promises were carried out, but others had not been.] ___________________________________________________________________________ Order #736 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect, Letting you know again this time. When you receive my letter, do not hesitate. Stop your work and come to meet me at once. you must come. When received, obey at once.
This is
[This letter was written in Karen and in red ink as a warning.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #737 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
2-3-2002 Writing to
inform you as below. That is all.
[Sd.]2-3-2002 [On the back this order is addressed: “To: Chairperson, xxxx [village]. Urgent Military Matter.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #738 (Papun)
Stamp: To: Informing you with few words. When you receive this letter, do not hesitate. Come to meet with me. It is an emergency. Come and arrive on the twelve of the English month [12/3/02].
xxxx Camp Commander
[On the back this order is addressed “To: Urgent Army matter Give to xxxx Village Head.”] ___________________________________________________________________________ Order #739 (Papun)
Stamp: Date:
13-3-02 With respect, I am writing
and informing you by letter. The matter of the letter written now is
xxxx DKBA Camp wants to discuss and coordinate with the Chairperson
from yyyy for a moment, so come to arrive on 14-3-2001 [2002].
[This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #740 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
To:
Date:
14-3-2002 Letting you know. Writing and informing you. The matter is to come to meet and discuss with me at xxxx Camp on 15-3-2002 at 10 o’clock in the morning, you are informed. Note: Bring along all the elephant owners at the same time.
From
______________________________________________________________________________ Order #741 (Pa’an)
Stamp: With respect,
[Sd.] 27.3.2002 [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #742 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 9-4-2002 Writing you to know for sure. The
village head, I have to write and inform. You must understand me.
[Come to] yyyy [camp] at once tomorrow at 10 o’clock.
There is no other thing to tell you. Come to visit me at the office. The
matter is to meet with my officer. I write you to know about this. [On the back this order is addressed: “xxxx Village head, Urgent Army matter.” Written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army Subject: Informing to coming to meet. 1. Regarding the above subject, in accordance with the order of the Brigadier
on year 2002 April 9th, we have to meet and discuss with
chairpersons/village heads, so come (without fail) without fail to meet at
DKBA #999 Brigade Headquarters - Meh Thein Gone - (Yadana Aye - Sanctuary
school on year 2002 May 5th Sunday at 10:00 o’clock in the
morning, you are informed.
[Sd.]
29-4-2002 Copy to- ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #744 (Papun)
Stamp: Inform the village head. Letting you know with this letter. Immediately, come to meet me at yyyy [village]. The matter is to come to meet with aaaa. You must come tomorrow surely. When received, obey. The matter is only this. Write truly. [On the back this order is addressed: “xxxx village, for Village Head. When received, obey at once.” This order was written in Karen. A DKBA commander from #777 Brigade told the village head the village must pay 18,000 Kyat in porter fees. He said that if the village didn’t pay he would arrest the whole village and force them to porter.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #745 (Papun)
Stamp: When you receive this letter, you must come to meet with me at xxxx D.K.B.A office on 2-7-2002. Note: [On the back this order is addressed “To: xxxx [Village] Head, Army Matter.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #746 (Papun)
Stamp:
This is [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #747 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect, writing for you to know as below. About the carrier bbbb from xxxx [village], ask the head from xxxx and arrange it together with you, then send him to me. Arrange it a little bit quickly. We need him for an emergency. When received, obey at once.
This matter is [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #748 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
12-7-02 Writing and informing you. There is a meeting so come to me at yyyy village on 14-7-02 at 9 o’clock in the morning. Note: Do not stay without coming.
[Sd.]12/7/02 [On the back this order is addressed “To: Village Head, xxxx village, Army Matter Urgent.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #749 (Pa’an)
Date: 17-7-2002 Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army With
respect to all the village heads, when you receive my letter immediately
come to meet me at wwww at once come and arrive today. Do not
hesitate. Writer D K
B A [On the back this order is addressed: “To: All the heads from xxxx, yyyy, zzzz. Urgent letter. With respect.” This order was handwritten and written partially in Karen and partially in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #750 (Papun)
Stamp: Subject: Writing you to know as below. When you receive my letter on 26-7-2002, you come to meet me at xxxx Office. When received, obey at once. Come together with aaaa.
This is
[On the back this order is addressed: “To: Village Head, xxxx village, send at once. Urgent Army Matter.” This order was written in Karen. The DKBA officer ordered the villagers to cut down 20 tons of teak.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #751 (Papun)
Stamp:
Best wishes to you, writing you as below. Make yourself free and come to
meet me at xxxx Office. Also call with cccc. When
received, obey at once. [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #752 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date: 27-7-02 Subject: The matter to meet with the elephant owners and wood bosses. Regarding the above subject, the wood bosses and elephants owners from xxxx village attend a meeting at the West Bank of Papun with the Deputy Battalion Commander aaaa on 29th of July, you are informed. (Note) [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #753 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
14-8-2002 Informing you as in the letter. When you receive my letter, come to meet me at yyyy [village] on 16-8-2002. When received, obey at once. Note:
Can’t stay without coming at all.
[Sd.]14-8-02 [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #754 (Papun)
Stamp: The matter is writing for you to know. When you receive my letter, come quickly to meet me. When the letter arrives, you must come at once.
[Sd.] [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #755 (Papun)
Stamp:
Signed [On the back this order is addressed: “Give to xxxx Village Head, Urgent Army Matter.” The SPDC Battalion Commander ordered the village head to give two workers for loh ah pay cutting and clearing the brush from along a car road.] ______________________________________________________________________________ To:
Stamp:
Date: 28-9-02 The order is from the Commando.
Stamp:
This is all. [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #757 (Papun)
Stamp: With respect,
[Sd.]12.10.2002 [This order was written in Karen. The DKBA ordered the villagers to send 300 thatch shingles.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #758 (Papun) [To:]
Tomorrow on 13-10-2002, come to meet with Bo aaaa at xxxx Dee Kay Bee Ay Camp. Bo aaaa. [On the back this order is addressed to “Head, xxxx [village]”. The DKBA officer demanded 4,500 Kyat for ‘messenger fees’. This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #759 (Papun) To: Bo aaaa [On the back this order is addressed: “Head, xxxx [village].” This letter was written in Burmese. The SPDC had ordered the DKBA to cut teak and ‘pway’ [a type of tree]. The DKBA then ordered the villagers to go and cut the trees and pull the logs by elephant. No payment was given by either the DKBA or the SPDC.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #760 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
30-10-2002 Subject: Informing you
as in below. When you receive my letter, you must come to meet me at
yyyy [village]. When this is received, obey at once. Come together
with the person who sends the letter at once. [This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #761 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
5-11-02
Writing you to know as below. When you receive this letter, you have to
come to a D.K.B.A. meeting at xxxx Camp on 7-11-02 at 12 o’clock
exactly. [On the back this order is addressed “To: Head, xxxx, yyyy, zzzz [villages]. Urgent Army Matter.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #762 (Papun)
Stamp: Progressive Karen Buddhist National Army
To:
(Big Mother) [On the back this order is addressed “To: xxxx Chairperson. Urgent Army Matter.” Written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #763 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
To:
Date:
18/11/2002 Subject: Calling you to organize the New Year Committee Regarding the above subject, we want a well attended celebration of the Karen National New Year festival that will occur on the Karen Year (2741), 1st day of the waxing of moon of Tha Lay/Tine Kaught Po, (3/1/2003), Friday at Shwe Koke Koh village, Myawaddy Township. Therefore, the elder is to attend a meeting on 25/11/2002 at Monday 9 o’clock in the morning with full national awareness, with respect and you are invited.
[Sd.] [This order was typewritten in Burmese with village name and township written in by hand.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #764 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
20-11-02
To:
This is all. [On the back this order is addressed “To: Head, xxxx [village]. Urgent Army Matter.” Written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #765 (Papun)
Stamp:
Date:
27-11-02 Informing
you as below. When you receive my letter, you must come quickly to meet
me at yyyy [village]. Do not wait until I go to pick you.
When received, obey at once. [On the back this order is addressed “To: Head, aaaa, xxxx village, Urgent Army matter.” This order was written in Karen.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #766 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
Date:
13/1/03
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army I am writing to inform
[you with] this letter. Come without fail.
This is all. [On the back this order is addressed: “To: Chairperson aaaa, xxxx [village]. Urgent Army Matter.” Written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #767 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army
To:
Date: 30-1-2003 Subject: Informing you to come and meet Regarding the above subject, Elder come to meet me (Saw Chit Thu, Battalion Commander, Special Battalion), you are informed. Find out and ask yyyy village where I am setting up camp. Note: Come as soon as this letter is received.
Stamp:
[Sd.] [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #768 (Pa’an)
Stamp:
Progressive Buddhist Karen National Army Subject: The matter of coming to meet. Regarding the above subject, we have to meet and discuss with chairperson - village heads, so come without fail to Dee Kay Bee Ay #999 Brigade Headquarters, Meh Thein Gone-Yadana Aye sanctuary school on 24-2-2003 8th day of the waning moon of Ta Boh Dweh, Monday at 09:00 o’clock in the morning, letting you know and you are informed.
[Sd.]19-2-03 [This order was typed in Burmese and carbon copied to be distributed to several villages.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #769 (Pa’an)
To:
28-2-03 I am writing and
letting you know. We [need to discuss] with the elders about many
kinds of needed Army matters, so as soon as this letter is received, come
on 28-2-03. If you do not come and arrive, action will be taken.
[Sd.] [This order was written in Burmese.] _____________________________________________________________________________ Order #770 (Papun)
Stamp: To: Writing you a letter with few words. When you receive my writing, come to meet me at zzzz village with the name of the person who you sent. That is all.
[Sd.]
9-12-2002 [On the back this order is addressed: “To: Head, aaaa, xxxx village. bbbb, go to pick up me.”] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #771 (Papun)
Stamp: Progressive Karen Buddhist Army When my letter is received, come to meet me tonight. Come surely. It is an emergency matter. When received, obey at once.
Truly xxxx head. [On the back this order is addressed: “xxxx Village Head.” The DKBA officer ordered the villagers to cut teak for him. This order was written in Karen.]
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The following orders were sent to villages in Kawkareik and Kya In townships of Dooplaya District by the Karen Peace Army. This group was established in 1997 by a former corrupt KNLA officer, Thu Mu Heh, who surrendered to the SPDC and in return received their support in setting up the group. He immediately allied himself with the SPDC and the regime made a show of giving him ‘authority’ over much of Dooplaya District. The group has not had much success in attracting recruits in the time since 1997 and has been largely sidelined. The KPA is now largely confined to small areas of Kawkareik and Kya In townships and the SPDC has stepped up its military presence in the region as well as bringing DKBA units back into the district which they had formerly expelled to make way for the KPA. Many of the orders included below are written by the KPA but are obviously request for forced labour or materials for SPDC projects. For more background on the KPA, see “Dooplaya Under the SPDC: Further Developments in the SPDC Occupation of South-central Karen State” (KHRG #98-09, 23/11/98), and “Starving Them Out: Forced Relocations, Killings, and the Systematic Starvation of Villagers in Dooplaya District” (KHRG #2000-02, 31/3/00).
Order #772 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: Date:
6-2-2002 With respect, yearly help with 500 house thatch shingles, so also help with 500 house thatch shingles this year, you are requested.
[Sd.]
xxxx Camp [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #773 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: Subject: Send the bridge wood quickly. In accordance with the above shown, to finish quickly the Paya Daung and Kyaikdon bridge, send quickly the needed bridge wood as allocated, you are informed. Note: The latest date to send it is 18/3/2002.
As the reference,
______________________________________________________________________________ Order #774 (Dooplaya) Stamp:
To: With
respect writing and informing you by letter. To the new big region of Peace.
With respect, [Sd.]
21-3-2002 [This order was written in Burmese and in red ink as a warning.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #775 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: Writing
and informing by this letter. A new development for the building of the
school and bridge, the elders coordinate with each other the
responsibility for wood quotas, then you must send it to Kyaikdon on
25-3-2002 at the latest. For the sawmills which have not completed the
duty, the Division Commander will stop the mills from running and carrying
the wood and not allow it. Coordinate the wood to arrive on time, we have
given the duty to the xxxx Chairperson. With leadership, follow to
coordinate and carry it out, you are informed again. Wood allocated: [On the back this order is: “Note: Do not accept the broken wood. Need to send the extra for choosing. Come quickly to send on 25-3-2002.” The bridge referred to is the one from Kyaikdon to Paya Taung.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #776 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: With full respect - please allow the xxxx elephant and elephant keeper. The bridge is nearly finished, but we still need help for gathering logs. Please ask him to come to arrive on 6/4/2002. When this letter is received, ask him to obey at once.
[Sd.] 5-4-2002 [On the back this order is addressed “To: Chairperson (Head), xxxx (yyyy)”. This order was written in Karen. ] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #777 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: Subject: The latest
informing you to send bridge wood quickly [Sd.]
25-5-2002 [This letter was a typewritten carbon copy. It was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #778 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
With respect, during the building of the bridge at the Mi Tan River, if the sawmills are not fulfilling the duty, we will not allow them to sell logs. That is why, the 2 sawmills from yyyy [village] have to send the quota wood quickly. The sawmills must send the information about fulfilling the duty to the Frontline Headquarters. After sending the information, we will allow you to carry logs to the lower place after you finish giving the permitting interdepartmental circular letter and donation money. Right now, the 2 sawmills from U aaaa’s village are to quickly give the wood for fulfilling the duty quickly, letting you know and you are informed.
With respect, [On the back this order is addressed to “Chairperson U aaaa, xxxx village. Urgent.” Each sawmill at the village had to send 40 5”x2” planks. ‘K.P.A.’ is the ‘Karen Peace Force’ or Karen Peace Army.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #779 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: With
respect, writing you a letter. Note: If you fail, harsh action will be taken. Date: 2-8-2002
[Sd.]
2-8-2002 [On the back this order is addressed “To: xxxx village, Chairperson/Secretary. Send quickly. Army Matter.” Written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #780 (Dooplaya)
Stamp: Subject: The matter of needed bamboo for repairs the camp. When this letter is received, come without fail to send the 1,000 pieces of big bamboo and 2,000 pieces of small bamboo that I need, to yyyy village, Karen Peace Army Camp on 20-9-2002 the 14th day of the waxing moon of Tawthalin, letting you know and you are informed. Date:
16-9-2002 [Sd.] 16-9-2002 [On the back this order is addressed“To: xxxx village, Chairperson/ Secretary.” The village head sent 3,000 pieces of bamboo to repair the IB #83 and KPA camp.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #781 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: When you see this letter now, come to xxxx Karen Peace Army Camp on 5-12-2002 at 12:00 o’clock in noon, you are informed and letting you know. Date: 2-12-2002 [On the back this order is addressed: “Give to: xxxx village, Chairperson/Secretary, and Headman/Head woman. Urgent.” Written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #782 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To: Subject: Kyaikdon Tract For Karen New Year, the needed assistance money is 13,000x thirteen thousand exactly and 1 basket [25 kgs. / 55 lbs.] of rice, come to send them on time to yyyy village on 10-12-2002 at 12 o’clock noon, you are informed. Place. #x Company, yyyy
[Sd.] [This order was written in Burmese.] ______________________________________________________________________________ Order #783 (Dooplaya)
Stamp:
To:
Date: /12/2002 Subject: The matter of specifying the allocations for the 66th annual New Year Festival. Regarding the above subject, to celebrate our well attended Karen National New Year festival, contribute help and you are given a duty as below.
Note: Special note:
[This order was typed in Burmese and carbon copied with the village name written in by hand. It was distributed to several villages in the area.]
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