Burma Link, June 21, 2013

Over a hundred Palaung (Ta’ang) villagers have fled their homes following fierce fighting between TNLA IB 112 and Kunlone based Burmese military IB 145 in Kutkai Township in northern Shan State, according to Palaung Women’s Organisation (PWO). After the villagers fled, a Burma Army soldier reportedly broke into and robbed their shops, stealing over 2,000,000 Kyat worth of materials.

According to PSLF/TNLA Department of News and Information, fighting erupted on June 18 after more than 120 Burma Army soldiers shelled artilleries to TNLA posts four or five times.

Fierce fighting broke out again at upper area of NougNgar village on June 19 after Burmese military shelled about 40 to 50 artilleries to TNLA posts on the top of the mountain. Tar Waing Mern, commander of TNLA IB 112 reported that fighting lasted about two hours. There were four casualties from Burmese side and an unknown number of injured. A local villager reported hearing artilleries explode about 50 times.

In a message to Palaung people, Tar Aik Phone, the chairman of the PSLF, said that “Burmese army has been increasing its troops inside Palaung areas and northern Shan State, and armed battles have broken out almost every day. After the Burma Army increased and reinforced it troops in northern Shan State, they are regularly patrolling inside areas, committing numerous human rights abuses including rape, killings, torturing, portering, forced labor and extortion.”

According to Tak Aik Phone, PSLF/TNLA has been trying to protect its people not only through political activities, but also through armed activities in order to gain back political rights that they lost over 50 years ago. PSLF/TNLA has not signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military. According to Tar Aik Phone, the situation is getting worse because Burmese army is trying to increase their control over Palaung areas before they make a ceasefire with PSLF/TNLA.

TNLA = Ta’ang National Liberation Army
 PSLF = Palaung State Liberation Front

Ta’aung and Palaung are two different names for the same ethnic group. TNLA is the armed wing of PSLF.

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