Forced labor August, September, October 2003

Arrested by the military in Moulmein market and used as Forced Labor.

Interview Date; 22.10.2003

Name; Zwei Man

Age; 28 year old

Occupation; Private business (plastic production factory)

Residence; Moulmein, xxxxx section, Mon State

Marital status; Single

Nationality; Burmese

Religion; Buddhist

Educational level; Completed 10 standard at No. 1 HS in 1992

In 28.9.2003, at around 6:30 p.m., Zwei Man was drinking in a bar that he usually sat and left at 10pm by walking along the road to his house alone. The lights on the street were broken down at that night. Suddenly while he was walking, a military truck was stopped in front of him and a soldier asked him to get into the truck. There were already 12 people in the truck.

The people in the truck were kept at Mawlamyaing military camp for he night. The next morning, Zwei Mun along with the other 12 captives were taken to Hlaing Bwe L.I.B 28 and they had got hair cut. In the evening, they were sent to a place called Pain Nei Taw, and stayed a night there.

Over 100 prisoners and villagers who were captured by the Burmese troops set off their journey to the front line with Burmese L.I.B. 705.

Zwei Man had to carry a pack of rice and staying a night at Wine Taw. After settling a night in Kyaw Ter Lay Koe, They proceeded to the Burmese Tactics command. The next day the porters were commanded to go along with I.B 28 to Wine Taw. Unfortunately, the battle occurred on their way to B.I 28 and a two corporals were killed and 11 people were seriously injured.

After arriving in Pain Nei Taw village, he met the other 27 porters between Ker Day and Yei Myit Kone. Furthermore, he met 14 villagers along with two young girls whose age are in 15 from and carrying the provision for the SPDC troops from Ker Day. The Burmese soldiers and officers always threatened the porters on their escaping. For instance, the Burmese officers said if we recapture you from your escape, we will kill you or extend two years of your imprisonment. And if DKBA capture you, you will be torture and shoot dead; likewise if KNU capture you, you will be killed or become the victims of landmine.

However, in 15.10.2003 around 6 p.m., Zwei Mun was listening to the news from V.O.A which included the issue of the porters who escaped from Burmese military were warmly hospitalized by KUN soldiers. After listening to the news, Zwei Mun was eager to escape from the control of Burmese military.

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Prisoner Porter

Name Aung Min

Age 45 years.

Address xxxxx village, Kyon Pin Kae township, Pago division.

Occupation Farmer (borrow, rent)

Nationality Burmese / Buddhist.

Crime Gambling (Sell under ground lottery )

Education 2nd standard.

Punishment one years and five month.

Prisoner xxxxx Date June03, Thayawaddy jail.

On 9-7-03 the jailer took (50) prisoner in Thayawaddy jail. 7-9-03 we arrived at Myingkalay service building No.1 we waiting there 24 days later on they sent three hundred by the truck at Maeplee. We started carry the rice and ammunition in Maeplee I have to carry six round of (81)mm. The army force me in the front line to clear the mine and they came behind me.

We arrived at Mawpahthoo army camp during at that times we have to dig the hole cut the bamboo rebuild the army camp. I stayed with them six day after that I escaped with Zaw Win together. We ran four days in the jungle with out food and we ate vegetable and banana tree in the jungle. On 13-10-03 I met with KNLA troops in the jungle.

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Prisoner Porter

Name Kyaw Lwin Oo

Age 29 years.

Address xxxx Town, Thanyawaddy division

Occupation Trishaw (hsai ka)

Education 6 standard.

Nationality Burmese / Buddhist.

Crime Receiving of stolen goods /Code 379/54

Punishment 2 years

Date 26-2-03 Ma Au Pin jail.

On April,03 the jailer took 150 prisoner to do the sanitation and agriculture in Pa-an service building No.1. I stayed in Pa-an almost four month and then LIB 707 came and took three hundred prisoner. I have to carry six round (81)mm and I saw a soldier was stepped on mine dead in front of me with Than Tun prisoner porter. I have to carrying ammunition five days and some of the injure soldier have to sent back to Thigarnyinaung.

I ran escape one of my friends stepped on mine was dead my chest and my foot was injure by mine seven days in the jungle no treatment when I was across Moi river I met with two Karen they took me to the KNLA clinic in the front line.