Burma Army Captures, Kills and Tortures Villagers in Kachin State, Forcing Over 2,000 to Flee

In This Report:

–       Burma Army Attacks in Mansi Township send 2,000 Villagers to Flee Nam Lim Pa IDP Camp

–       Burma Army Troops Kill Kachin Villager

–       Burma Army Captures Villagers; Tortures Four Men

Burma Army Overruns Nam Lim Pa Village, causing 2,000 IDPs to flee Nam Lim Pa IDP Camp

At 2:00 pm on 16 November 2013, over 100 Burma Army soldiers from MOC 21 came to Nam Lim Pa Village. Soldiers held and threatened about 300 students at the Nam Lim Pa IDP school compound.   Many of the villagers had already fled to Nam Lim Pa IDP camp. Now the Burma Army occupies both Nam Lim Pa village and Nam Lim Pa IDP camp.

At 10:00pm, all the villagers from Nam Lim Pa IDP (Internally Displaced Person) Camp, totaling over 2,000 men, women and children, began moving towards Man Gau Da Nam Hkyet Village.

By 4:00 am on 17 November 2013, all the villagers from the IDP camp had arrived at Man Gau Da Nam Hkyet Village and leaders among the villagers arranged for half of the fleeing villagers to leave for Man Win Village at 5:30 am.

Fighting in Nam Lim Pa between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA – a pro-democracy ethnic resistance group) began at 7:40 am on 17 November 2013, and continued through Monday night. Fighting also took place on Monday morning near Kawng Ja village.

Men Captured and Tortured by Burma Army Troops

Burma Army soldiers from Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 320 and 438 and Infantry Battalion (IB) 47, under Military Operation Command (MOC) 21, led by Commander Moe Zaw, are currently in KIA Battalion 12 area of Brigade 3. In separate instances on 22 October and 8 November 2013, soldiers from these troops captured and tortured four male Kachin villagers. Two men have been identified as N’Dau Gam and Labya Tang Gun – the other two are unidentified friends of Labya Tang Gun.

N’Dau Gam is 54 years old, married and has one two-year-old child. He was at his farm when Burma Army soldiers arrived at his farm in Nam Gau Village on 8 November at approximately 1:30pm. Soldiers arrested him, and then proceeded to torture him for 30 minutes, beating his body and head with a gun. Two soldiers were ordered to kill N’Dau Gam. When one of the soldiers glanced back to see who was behind him, N’Dau Gam ran into the jungle and managed to escape. Soldiers took and destroyed his clothes, hunting gun and knife, threw his food away and took all his money.

Labya Tang Gun is from Maji Gun Kaji village, and is 44 years old; he is married and has three children. On 22 October 2013 he was inside his home, watching his children, when two Burma Army soldiers entered the home and led him at gunpoint to the middle of the village. Two of his friends were also led to the middle of the village and all three were tied up for five hours. Soldiers began beating Labya Tang Gun’s chest with a gun and tied a rope around his neck, making it difficult to breathe. Labya Tang Gun’s two friends escaped at 10:00 pm, and their whereabouts are currently unknown. A total of 200 Burma Army soldiers came to Maji Gun Kaji village, taking 340 sacks of rice from IDP’s donated rations. The following day, Labya Tang Gun was made to porter a load of rice for the Burma Army. When he arrived at Nam Ba Pa village, he ran away. Soldiers took 700,000 kyat, all of his family’s clothes, blankets, and all their food.

Both of these men and their families moved to Nam Lim Pa IDP Camp up until Saturday, 16 November 2013, when all villagers fled for safety.

Burma Army Soldiers Kill Male Kachin Villager

At 10:00 am on 14 November 2013, Maraw Brang Nan, 40 years old, was killed by Burma Army soldiers. Maraw Brang Nan was heading back to his house to collect his possessions in section one of Mung Ding Pa Village at the time of his death.

Maraw Brang Nan leaves behind a wife and 4 children, all of whom are at an IDP camp in Bhamo, Kachin State.

(From Our Previous Report) Chronology of Latest Attacks in Kachin State:

–       Attacks in Mung Ding Pa and Nam Lim Pa, with hundreds of new IDPs held hostage in a church

–       Rape of 15-year-old Kachin Girl

–       Summary of Burma Army Attacks and Activity in Kachin State in October

–       Kachin mother raped

–       2 children injured during attack on 15 October.

On 22 October 2013, Burma Army soldiers from Infantry Battalions (IB) 47, 56, 236, 240, 276, and Light Infantry Battalions 601 and 602, all under the command of MOC 21, attacked Nam Lim Pa and Mung Ding Pa Villages in Mansi Township, 3^rd Brigade, southern Kachin State. Burma Army soldiers took villagers’ belongings, and caused 700 villagers from Mung Ding Pa to seek refuge in a local Christian church. Burma Army soldiers held the villagers hostage inside the church.

Some of these troops positioned themselves between Je Kham and Kawng Ja and at 1:05 pm they began firing 60mm mortars at Mung Ding Pa village. At 2:05 pm, Burma Army soldiers attacked the village.

The commander of Burma Army MOC 21 arrested 8 male villagers from Kawng Ja villages, KIA Battalion 12 territory in Brigade 3, ranging in age from 30 to 78. Their names are:

They were sent to Man Ta village the next day. As of the latest field updates, these men were still held in Burma Army custody.

The day before, 21 October 2013, Burma Army troops from IB 60 and LIB 323 ordered villagers from Gawng Run, Nam Kahn and Je-U villages to remain within their villages, and the soldiers closed the road between Gawng Ru and Nam Lim Pa, which is in Kachin Independence Army’s 3^rd Brigade territory.

After the attack on the villages on 22 October, fighting broke out at 10:30 am between Nam Hkum and Awng Nan villages. 200 Burma Army troops from MOC 21 fought KIA battalion 12 troops. Fire exchanges lasted until 4:00 pm the same day.

On 25 October 2013, KIA troops from Battalion 12, Brigade 3, exchanged fire with Burma Army soldiers from MOC 21 when Burma Army troops arrived at Saga Nam Hkaum, which is located in Mansi Township.

On the same day, at 4:00 am, 500 Burma Army soldiers from MOC 21 came to Mung Ding Pa village, which had been attacked 3 days prior, and took 10 Kachin male villagers.

Also on the same day, the area under the control of KIA 4^th Brigade, saw fighting between KIA troops from Battalion 34 and Burma Army troops from LIB 502 from 8:00 am until 11:30 am.

Burmese Army Soldiers Gang Raped a 15-Year-Old Girl

At 9:00 am on Wednesday 30 October 2013, Sumlut Roi Ja, a 15-year-old girl from Lu Htawng Village in Kachin State, was gang-raped by several Burma Army soldiers. The attackers were Captain Thet Hpyo Aung (also known as Captain Zaw Htet Aung), and two soldiers from LIB 116. Lieutenant Colonel Min Kyin San commands LIB 116, a mobile battalion under the Sagaing-based 33rd  Light Infantry Division, which is commanded by Colonel Myit Maw.

Later that evening, Sumlut Roi Ja was handed back to her parents.

Kachin mother raped; Villagers tortured

On 2 September 2013, 200 Burma Army soldiers arrived at Nhka Ga village, forcing KIA troops stationed there to decamp. Mr. Lahkyeng Hkaw Tup and Yung Hka Hkyen, both from Nhka Ga village, were tortured and killed by Burma Army troops from IB 137. Reverend Ram Me and 10 villagers were arrested and tortured after being questioned by Burma Army troops. John Seng Awng, son of Nhka Ga Village, was tied up and badly tortured. Burma Army soldiers raped his wife, 29-year-old Nhtung Hkai Nang Htu, right in front of him. They have one child.

Summary of Burma Army Attacks and Activity in Kachin State in October

During the month of October the Burma Army continued its campaign against the Kachin people in Northern Burma. In a series of operational movements government forces imprisoned civilians and forced them to work for military purposes, carried out attacks against villages, and according to a local newspaper (Kachin Land News), at least one officer and two soldiers gang-raped a 15 year old girl.

In the course of operations, the Burma Army encroached on Kachin controlled land, reinforced and strengthened existing positions, and disrupted civilian activities throughout the area. Much of the fighting took place in Mansi Township of Kachin State, but conflict was present throughout other areas of southern Kachin and northern Shan states as well.

Between 9 October and 31 October at least six clashes took place. The Burma Army shelled two villages, resulting in three civilian casualties, two of which were children. Over the same time period, more than 700 civilians were temporarily detained in a church.

The following is a summary of daily military activities conducted by the Burma Army troops stationed in Kachin State.

9 October 2013

At 5:00 pm, government troops from Light Infantry Division (LID) 101 arrived at Nyawng Pin Ta village with four trucks. The village is in an area controlled by KIA 26^th Battalion, 2^nd Brigade.

10 October 2013

An estimated 30 Burma Army soldiers from Myitkyina travelled in 2 boats to reinforce Infantry Battalion (IB) 37 at Hu Kat village.

Burma Army IB 251 relieved IB 257 under LID 101 command, which is positioned at Lung Tung village. The village is controlled by KIA 26^th Battalion, 2^nd Brigade.

From 8:30 – 9:00 am, Ta-ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) Unit 256 and forces from Burma Army LIB 505 and 506 clashed between Bang Hkalawk and Hu Mang.

11 October 2013

At 8:00 am, around 100 Burma Army soldiers from IB 105 arrived at Mogoung from Samaw by train, and then continued to Hpakant by truck. This area is under KIA 11^th Battalion, 2^nd Brigade.

Government troops from LIB 438 set up positions for security at Numlang and Pangsak. The area is controlled by the KIAs 25th Battalion, 5^th Brigade in  Sub-Dawhpum Yang township.

Burma Army LIB 522 was operating near Han Htet.

12 October 2013

At 9:30 am six trucks carrying troops and one truck carrying horses departed Kuthkai for Namhkam, via Muse. The area is controlled by KIA 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Brigade in Kuthkai township.

Government troops from IB 51 arrived at around Moda Ji and Mat Tai, and troops from IB 236 led by Colonel Hpung Myat from MOC 21 arrived at Sin Hkan and Nat Hkuk villages in KIA 5^th Battalion 2^nd Brigade area, within Shwegu township.

At 5:00 pm, around one hundred Burma Army soldiers from unknown units entered Manwing with five trucks in KIA 27^th Battalion area from Namhkam in KIA 3^rd Brigade area of Mansi township.

13 October 2013

Burmese army troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Chaw Htik from LIB 259 relieved troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Hpu Myint Ting from IB 235 stationed around Sanghka which is in an area controlled by KIA 6^th Battalion, 2^nd Brigade in Hpakant Township.

At 11:00 am six military trucks went to Sinli from Lashio, and two trucks transporting artillery and one truck carrying soldiers entered Kuthkai in northern Shan State.

Mixed troops from the Burma Army’s LID 33 and LIB 321 were gathering to make an operational movement at Mada Bum, located near Ga Ra Yang and Nang Zaw Yang, controlled by KIA 3^rd Battalion under 5^th Brigade, Waimaw Township.

Burma Army IB 105 operated around Njang Yang, and IB 298 operated around Hka Garan Yang and Tayang Zup. This area is controlled by KIA 4^th Battalion, 1^st Brigade in Njang Yang township.

Burma Army IB 241 troops were operating around Ta Ku Ti which is controlled by KIA 9^th Battalion, 4^th Brigade, Kuthkai Township.

Burma Army LIB 336 set up positions and camps at Shadan Pa Junction, which is an area controlled by KIA 23^rd Battalion, 5^th Brigade, Waimaw Township.

15 October 2013

At 9:00 am, two trucks coming from IB 58 military base dropped one truckload of soldiers at Lamyang and one at Sailaw, in an area controlled by KIA 3^rd Battalion, 5^th Brigade, Waimaw Township.

At 4:00 pm, troops from LID 99 with ten trucks went to Myo Tit, and a truck with military supplies and two trucks carrying soldiers entered Dawhpum Yang.

Burma Army IB 69 and LIB 323 departed In-Gyi, making separate operational movements at Je Hkam and Prang Tai Maw. At 5:30 pm, Burma Army troops advanced on Namhom, firing artillery at the town.

Two children, 14-year-old Nyi Nyi and 3-year-old Zaw Myo Chit, were injured. Nyi Nyi is the son of U Win Tin and Daw Te Te. KIA soldiers stationed at the village defended. This town is controlled by KIA 12^th Battalion 3^rd Brigade in Mansi township.

Additionally, troops from IB 56 and 236 and LIB 602, commanded by MOC 21 Colonel Hpung Myat, were positioned at Nat Hkuk and Sin Hkan villages. This area is controlled by KIA 5^th Battalion, 2^nd Brigade in Shwegu Township.

An estimated 120 Burma Army soldiers from unknown units arrived as reinforcements at the base held by IB 145 at Ngaw Nga village – territory controlled by KIA 8^th Battalion, 4^th Brigade in northern Shan State.

Burma Army LIB 505 strengthened fortifications at their base in Mung Yin, in KIA 8^th Battalion, 4^th Brigade area.

Burma Army IB 240, which had been operating around Han Htet Man Wing Lay, returned to Mansi Township, in the area under KIA 27^th Battalion, 3rd Brigade.

From 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, three fighter jets from Myitkyina Nampawng Air Field flew drills over Myitkyina city.

From 8:00 pm – 8:15 pm, Burma Army soldiers from an unknown unit and the TNLA clashed at Manlum near Nam San, which is controlled by KIA 34^th Battalion, 4^th Brigade in Namtu Township.

16 October 2013

At 10:45 am an explosion occurred at Bang Poi in the center of Namhkam Township.

At 11:00 am, 13 trucks full of troops from MOC 7 arrived from Dawhpum Yang, and rotated into positions at Laja Yang, Nalung, Shadan Pa, and Nam Ngau. At 2:50 pm, 13 trucks carrying troops who were rotated out left the area.

An estimated four hundred soldiers from IB 47, 56 and 236, and LIB 602 operated around Pin Chying in the KIA 3^rd Brigade, area of Mansi Township.

At 6:00 pm, 11 trucks carrying troops from unknown units entered Namhkam in KIA 8^th Battalion, 3^rd Brigade territory from Mung Wi before continuing on to Lashio.

17 October 2013

At 7:00 am, a bomb detonated at Bang Poi in the center of Namhkam Township, killing a civilian who was passing by. At 7:30 am, a second bomb exploded at Bang Poi. One ethnic Shan civilian was injured in the blast.

IB 142, stationed at Namsan Yang, blockaded the Manmaw – Myitkyina – Laiza road and searched the civilian population.

Approximately thirty Burmese soldiers from LIB 567 operated around Hka Lum and Hpai Kawng – territory controlled by KIA 36^th Battalion, 4^th Brigade in Muse township – and entered Mung Gu at 9:00. Troops from IB 142 and MOC 7 and 21 set up positions between Num Lang and Namsan Yang.

At 3:00 pm, more than 200 soldiers from IB 63 and 98 approached Nam Hkyi village (a gold mining area) and a site where KIA Tactical Regiment 101 was positioned in territory controlled by KIA 5^th Battalion, 2^nd Brigade, Shwegu Township.

35 soldiers from LIB 309 and their commander operated around Uk Shi. Another 33 soldiers operated around Nying Chan, and 20 soldiers led by Captain Aung Kyaw Soe set up positions at Myo La village controlled by KIA 5^th Battalion under 2^nd Brigade in Shwegu Township.

Troops from IB 253, Division 101, set up positions for security between Ginsi and Lawngh kang, which is controlled by KIA 6^th Battalion under 2^nd Brigade in Hpakant Township.

Around 100 soldiers from IB 69 and LIB 323 operated at Kung Ting and Manwing Lay, and around 80 soldiers from LIB 522 arrived at Mansi base, controlled by KIA 27^th Battalion, 4^th Brigade, Mansi Township.

At 5:30 am, six trucks carrying troops and one truck with four horses arrived at Kuthkai. They then departed for Laisho with the eleven trucks witnessed the evening before entering Namhkam.

19 October 2013

At 2:00 am, a group of Burma Army soldiers from an unknown unit arrived via two motorboats at BhoMo in BhoMo Township, controlled by KIA 1^st Battalion, 3^rd Brigade. Meanwhile, around 90 soldiers from LIB 323 arrived at Kung Ding  Kawn Man Hpa in Mansi township, which is in the area of KIA 27^th Battalion, 3^rd Brigade. Approximately 25 soldiers from LIB 321 were operating between Jang Wawm Kawng and Nawng Si Paw in Wai Maw Township, 5^th Brigade, Kachin State.

20 October 2013

At 8:00 am, around 100 soldiers from LIB 522 were operating around Madan Yang in the 1^st Battalion, 3^rd Brigade KIA area. By 1:00 pm more than 100 additional soldiers from IB 69 and LIB 323 had also arrived at Madan Yang village, Mansi Township. Soldiers from LIB 323 and 522 were also operating between Man Hpa and Yi Hku Man Kham. Soldiers from MOC 16 arrived at Man Hpa and soldiers from IB 69 were continuing to operate west of Chawng Htawk.

21 October 2013

The soldiers from IB 69 and LIB 323 had moved from Madan Yang to Kai Htik in the 27^th Battalion, 3^rd Brigade KIA zone by 9:00 am. These soldiers also ordered villagers from Gawng Run, Nam Khan, and Je-U villages not to go to outside of their villages and blockaded the way to Gawng Ru to Nam LimPa

22 October 2013

Around 200 soldiers from IB 69 and LIB 323 arrived at the road of Madang Yang village and Ngau Hkaraw Lawa Yang village. This area is under 69^th Battalion, 1^st Brigade of the KIA.

An estimated 100 soldiers from LIB 522 arrived to Ywa Tit Kung from Madang Yang village in KIA 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, Mansi Township. Burmese soldiers from MOC 21 were also taking up a position at Mung Ding Pa village and LaiKa Sharin School. They collected 700 Students and villagers and held them captive in a Christian Church.

Burma Army troops were taking up positions at Kawng Dung, Man Wing Ley, Man Ta, Tan Tada, In Gyi, Prang Tai Ja Ma, Gawng Run, Je-U, Kawng Ja, Mung Ding Pa, and Hka Gyin Mung Si in the KIA 12^th Battalion, 3^rd Brigade, Mansi Township.

The commander of MOC 21 led Burmese Soldiers from Infantry Battalions 47, 56, 236, 240, 276 and LIB 601 and 602. One group of soldiers had arrived between Je-U/Je Kham and Kawng Ja at 11:30 am, and at 1:05 pm the Burma Army fired 60mm mortars at Mung Ding Pa village before entering the village at 2:10 pm. These events were in the KIA 12^th Battalion, 3^rd Brigade area.

23 October 2013

Ko Hpung Myat from Burma Army MOC 21 led around 200 Burmese soldiers from IB 56 and 236, and LIB 602. This group is operating at Si Hkam Gyi and Nat Khun village. 12^th Battalion 3^rd Brigade is the KIA unit responsible for this area in Mansi, Kachin State.

At 9:00 am some soldiers were continually operating to Kawng Ja village in the KIA 12^th Battalion area of 3^rd Brigade, Mansi Township.

From 10:30 am to 4:00 pm, around 200 Burmese soldiers from MOC 21 went to Je-U (Si-U) were fighting KIA troops from 12^th Battalion between Nam Hkum and Awng Nan village. Around 10 Burmese casualties were reported. KIA Commander lah pai Zau Sam was also injured in the fighting, which took place in Mansi township, Kachin State.

25 October 2013

At 4:00 am, 500 soldiers from MOC 21 were operating at Mung Ding Pa and Kawn Mahkaw Yang villages in Mansi Township, Kachin State. The Burma Army took ten men from the village.

Due to fighting at Mung Ding Pa and Nam Lim Pa, villagers were avoiding the Kachin Baptist Church and Roman Catholic church of Mung Hkawng Pa village in the KIA 12^th Battalion, 3^rd Brigade region.

At 3:00 pm, KIA soldiers divided into three groups to counter-attack Burmese soldiers from MOC 21 that had arrived at Saga Nam Hkaum. These events took place in Mansi Township under 12^th Battalion, 3^rd Brigade of the KIA.

From 8:00 am-11:30 am soldiers from LIB 502 and an element from the TNLA were fighting at Bang Alawk between Man Lum and Hu Mang. This area is controlled by the KIA 34^th Battalion, 4^th Brigade.

Burma Army soldiers from IB 258, led by Maw Si Zak Aw, arrested civilians collecting jade. The soldiers demanded money from each person. They then released the civilians in the KIAs 2^nd Battalion, 6^th Brigade area in HpaKant Township, Kachin state.

May God bless you,

Kachin Free Burma Rangers