Wa confiscating hundreds of homes

Wa confiscating hundreds of homes

Hundreds of homes across the border from Chiangmai have already been taken possession by the Wa army that has entered the area since the end of the Monsoons six months ago, according to sources fleeing into Thailand.

At least 200 homes in Mongton Townhsip (Monghsat District, Eastern Shan State, opposite Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province) have been seized by the United Wa State Army that has brought with them thousands of dislocated households from the Chinese border.

Homes in the outskirts of small towns and villages in Mongton, especially those of the poor, were reported to have been forcibly taken. "Sometimes they pay K. 1,000 (B. 100) to the owners," said one source.

In the neighboring township of Monghsat, opposite Fang and Mae-ai district, at least 500 native households were said to have been dispossessed during the 1999-2000 dry season.

"Nobody, not even the local headmen and Burmese officers, can mediate on the victims' behalf," said a source who fled into Fang through BP (Border Pass)-2 recently. "They would just laugh and say, 'if you want it back, talk to (Gen) Khin Nyunt, not me'."

A list of the victims was shown to S.H.A.N. by Shan Human Rights Foundation. Its report is due to come out by the end of the month.