Pa’an District / Other

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Photo #141: A Karen refugee from Dta Greh township, Pa’an District, who fled in April 1997 due to SLORC’s current forced relocation campaign in the area. Since late February SLORC has ordered all villagers living just west of the Dawna Range to move to relocation sites or be shot. The order affects at least 6 villages, including Bee T’Ka village, population about 2,000, where people were given 3 days to move or be shot. People have scattered, because they know they will only be used as forced labour on SLORC’s road-building program in the area if they go to the relocation sites. Escape across the Dawna Range to Thailand is very difficult, as the area is heavily mined by both sides - particularly the KNLA. [See ‘Pa-an’] [Photo: KHRG]

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Photo #142: SLORC deserter, age 14, Pa’an District. He was taken as a soldier when aged 13, given short training and sent to the frontlines of KNLA 7th Brigade in Pa’an District. He ran away in March 1997 because he said he was not strong enough to carry his G3 [SLORC assault rifle, much bigger and heavier than most assault rifles] and 200 rounds of ammunition as ordered. [Photo: Karen source]

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Photo #143: A Swiss-made Pilatus turbo-propeller bomber/strafe plane, the Burmese Air Force’s main weapon against opposition groups and, more often, undefended villages. The Swiss government claims these planes are non-military and used by SLORC as "commercial pilot trainers", yet they were featured on the cover of this 1996 "Myanmar Air Force" calendar. Presumably this brave pilot (actually a Burmese movie actor who should be ashamed of himself) has just returned from a tough mission bombing an undefended village or strafing villagers while they try to harvest their rice - these are typical Pilatus missions in Burma. [Photo: KHRG]