POOR TARGETED TO CLEAN UP BORDER TOWN
(Based on IMNA, March 15, 2003)

Lt General Win Myint of the Burmese Army LIB No (243) yesterday went around rounding up local poor people at the Three Pagodas Pass of Thai-Burma border town to work and clean up surrounding areas, a local Mon villager said.

Win Myint seized over sixty local poor villagers including youngsters under the age of 16 and older men over the age of 60 on the morning of March 13 forcing them to clean up Rose (Nhin-Si) Hall, Local Beer Shop and public gathering places in preparation for a visit by senior officials to the town, a local source told the Independent Mon News Agency.

Despite there are over a thousand inhabitants at the border town, the army targets only the poor people. Traders and local businessmen are given amnesty for their financial support to the Burmese Army, the source said.

Recently, a Karen opposition armed group killed two policemen on March 8 near Three Three Pagodas Pass. After the death of the policemen, the army arrested and beat some villagers at Mea Sa Li, Ya Tah Phyu villages.