On Election Day, two civilians shot by Burma Army in Shan State
As
polls closed in the country’s general election yesterday, Burma Army soldiers shot
two civilians—including one child—as they were leaving their paddy fields in southern
Shan State, according to both the Shan Human Rights Foundation and a local man
who witnessed the attack.
According
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. while around 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 not venture out of the village.
The
victims are 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.”
“The
Burma military arbitrarily attacks civilians,” he said.
According
to local sources, the Burma Army Battalion No. 286 is reportedly active in this
part of Mong Nong.
Here
in Kesi Township and in neighboring Mong Hsu, offensives by the Burma Army against
the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N) have been ongoing
since October 6. 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 non-state ethnic armies.
“The
victim is an old woman,” said Sai Hor Hseng. “How can she be linked with any
armed group?”
“The conflict must stop now,” he added. “If
there is no fighting, our people will not suffer.”
Yesterday
marked Burma’s first general election in 25 years. Voting was cancelled in Mong Nong and in the
whole of Kesi Township by the Union Election Commission (UEC) on October 27, citing
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 November 8.
(Photos: Tai Mao / Facebook)
By
SAI AW / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N)
Tags: Human Rights, News
