Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Suspected of being a rebel, a Palaung villager was shot dead on the spot by government soldiers in Monton Township in northern Shan State, said a Palaung organization based on the Sino-Burmese border.
On August 16, Aik San Pi of Loisaung village in Monton Township was shot dead by troops from Infantry Unit No. 130 led by Colonel Kyaw Zeyar Tun, the Palaung Women’s Organization [PWO] reported.
The man, Aik San Pi, 27, was hiding because he was afraid of being forced to carry supplies for government troops, according to sources. When the soldiers discovered him they accused him of being a rebel and shot him, said Lwe Amm, said a PWO spokesperson.
“After the [Burmese] army arrived in the village, many men fled because they were afraid of being forced to porter goods. They shot him three times. He died on the spot.”
The village head told the troops Aik San Pi was not a member of an armed group and the soldiers gave 5,000 kyat (about US$ 7) to the family for funeral expenses.
In the Monton Township, various armed groups are active including Burmese government battalions, Palaung militant groups, Shan State Army-North troops and soldiers of the Kachin Independence Organization. The KIO and SSA-N said that government troops forced local villagers to porter goods and weapons in fighting in June.
SSA-N spokesman Major Sai Hla said that some civilians suspected of being rebels were tortured and killed by government troops. He said government soldiers set fire to five houses near Wanphwi Dam on Tuesday morning, alleging that residents were SSA supporters.
KIO spokesman La Nang said that in some ethnic areas civilians are placed on a blacklist by the government because of the armed groups’ activities, but it was usual that residents were shot by government troops.
“Some ethnic people were shot because they were suspected and some were shot intentionally by the government troops. Those cases have happened. In every fight, many victims are civilians,” La Nang told Mizzima.
La Nang said government troops use Kachin and Shan villagers as human mine sweepers during fighting between KIO and government troops.
The BBC Burmese Service recently reported that in Pyapon Township in Irrawaddy Region, government Infantry Unit No. 93 ordered a motorboat carrying bananas to stop to demand money. When the motorboat failed to stop, the soldiers opened fire, killing one man.
