The Burmese military junta is reportedly constructing a new hydro-power project on one of the Salween River's tributaries, the Namkha, about 50 miles north of Mongpiang Township, in eastern Shan State, according to local sources.
 
The project will be run by Chinese engineers and will commence in May 2009, when the water level is low, a local villager said.
 
However, it is yet to be known how much electricity it will generate.
 
Villagers from nearby villages will be summoned to the construction site when it starts, the villager said.
 
The Burmese military have also been transporting construction materials to Mongpiang, beginning January.
 
In mid January, Wa villagers of Ta Oom Tawng were ordered to carry those materials to the construction site.
 
However, there was no information whether the Burma Army provided wages to them or not.
 
"Now they are planning to expand the road going to the site," said a source coming to the border.
 
About 6 Chinese engineers have arrived there and have been inspecting the site.
 
Militia groups from Hawngkang, Yanghai and Wanphit village tracts, have been assigned to provide security at the project site, since the materials arrived.
 
Electricity would reportedly be distributed to the town, after the hydropower project is completed, said a source.
 
Villagers are worried regarding their labour being needed for the construction work on a daily basis.
 
"We are worried since we will not have time to work for our own livelihood," a local was quoted as saying.
 
The Namkha Valley north of Mongpiang, used to be part of the old Wa States. It was seized by the Burma Army in 1980. This area now called Markmang Township has been designated as part of the Wa Self Administered Division by the 2008 constitution.