As election polls closed on 8 November, Burma Army soldiers shot two civilians, one a child, as they were leaving their paddy fields in southern Shan State, according to the Shan Human Rights Foundation and a local witness
According to Sai Hseng Na, a resident and bystander, the incident occurred near the village of Hoong Kham in Mong Nong sub-township, Kesi Township, at 4 p.m. when about 30 villagers were returning from farming their fields. The villagers allegedly had permission from local authorities to tend to their land, despite a Burma Army order that residents must not venture out of the village.
The victims were confirmed as Pa Tem, age 55, and Sai Mon Parng, age 15. At the time of reporting, both were recovering in a local hospital in Taunggyi District. Sai Mon Parng was shot in the throat. It is not known in which part of her body Pa Tem was shot.
Sai Hor Hseng, a spokesperson for Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF), described the incident as “extreme violence against innocent people.”
He said: “The Burma military arbitrarily attacks civilians.”
According to local sources Burma Army Battalion No. 286 is active in this part of Mong Nong.
The Burma Army has been launching ongoing attacks against the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N)in Kesi Township and neighbouring Mong Hsu since 6 October.
The conflict has displaced more than 6,000 people.
Civilians are often targeted by the Burma Army when they are suspected of being militants or supporters of ethnic armed organisations (EAOs)
Sai Hor Hseng said: “The victim was an old woman, how could she be linked with any armed group?
“The conflict must stop now. If there is no fighting, our people will not suffer.”
Burma's first properly contested general election in 25 years was held on 8 November. Voting was cancelled in Mong Nong and the whole of Kesi Township by the Union Election Commission (UEC) on 27 October. The UEC cited armed conflict as the reason for the annulment.
Warning: The images below are graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.
A 55-year-old woman and 15-year old boy are taken to a local hospital after being shot by Burma Army soldiers while leaving their farmland on 8 November. (Photos: Tai Mao / Facebook)
By SAI AW / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
