Myanmar military tightens security after pipeline attack
The Myanmar military continued to enforce a local curfew after a pipeline was attacked by insurgents also forcing them to patrol the pipeline. This is not the first time the pipeline has been attacked, and after new deals with China, the ruling junta will be keen to gain control of the outlying areas as attacks are most likely to step up.
Independent Mon news agency story...
Tight security continues in and around the site of the gas pipeline explosion In Mudon township and troops have been forcing villagers in the area to guard the pipeline and bridges.
“Every day four men from our village and Youngdoung village have to patrol Youndoung village's iron bridge for 24 hours. Fourteen men from each village have to patrol the pipeline,” Ko Khaing from Kwan-hlar village explained.
Soldiers have been based in the village for security reasons since the gas pipeline exploded on February 1 night. The soldiers have been patrolling all night in our village and other villages near by he added.
My father was forced to patrol the pipeline in our Kalawthut village recently, a girl who reached the border said.
After the Kanbauk- Myaing-kalay gas pipeline exploded, local people in the area were forced to patrol the pipeline. About a hundred men from Youngdoung village, Kwan-hlar village and Hni-padaw villages were forced into patrolling for a couple of weeks.
“They did not allow villagers to go out at night. If we have to go out for emergency reasons we have to take permission from the troops,” he added.
The authorities have also restricted villagers from celebrating their traditional pagoda festival due to the explosion. They are not allowed to have stage shows and drama performances during the festival.
Villagers are afraid and have been following the orders of the army. Villagers are concerned because the Infantry Battalion No.62 commander told them they were to be moved to Pegu division if another explosion occurred in the area.
According to villagers they are afraid of losing their land and plantation if another blast occurs. In this area, the pipeline has exploded three times. This time an armed group was said to be involved.
Local authorities have accused the Mon and Karen armed groups. But both armed groups have called the accusation baseless. Before the explosion occurred local authorities had warned that some armed groups planned to cause an explosion in the pipeline. The authorities put up posters of those involved on main roads those being held responsible are two Karens, four Burmese and two Indian Burmese. Later authorities accused Mon and Karen armed groups and also put out a warrant for a New Mon State Party (NMSP) member for involvement in the explosion. But NMSP denied that their man was involved.
This pipeline was laid in 2000 for the Myaing-ka-lay cement factory and it is more than 200 kilometres long. The gas comes from Yatana offshore in Kabauk area, Tenasserim division.
Independent Mon news agency story...
Tight security continues in and around the site of the gas pipeline explosion In Mudon township and troops have been forcing villagers in the area to guard the pipeline and bridges.
“Every day four men from our village and Youngdoung village have to patrol Youndoung village's iron bridge for 24 hours. Fourteen men from each village have to patrol the pipeline,” Ko Khaing from Kwan-hlar village explained.
Soldiers have been based in the village for security reasons since the gas pipeline exploded on February 1 night. The soldiers have been patrolling all night in our village and other villages near by he added.
My father was forced to patrol the pipeline in our Kalawthut village recently, a girl who reached the border said.
After the Kanbauk- Myaing-kalay gas pipeline exploded, local people in the area were forced to patrol the pipeline. About a hundred men from Youngdoung village, Kwan-hlar village and Hni-padaw villages were forced into patrolling for a couple of weeks.
“They did not allow villagers to go out at night. If we have to go out for emergency reasons we have to take permission from the troops,” he added.
The authorities have also restricted villagers from celebrating their traditional pagoda festival due to the explosion. They are not allowed to have stage shows and drama performances during the festival.
Villagers are afraid and have been following the orders of the army. Villagers are concerned because the Infantry Battalion No.62 commander told them they were to be moved to Pegu division if another explosion occurred in the area.
According to villagers they are afraid of losing their land and plantation if another blast occurs. In this area, the pipeline has exploded three times. This time an armed group was said to be involved.
Local authorities have accused the Mon and Karen armed groups. But both armed groups have called the accusation baseless. Before the explosion occurred local authorities had warned that some armed groups planned to cause an explosion in the pipeline. The authorities put up posters of those involved on main roads those being held responsible are two Karens, four Burmese and two Indian Burmese. Later authorities accused Mon and Karen armed groups and also put out a warrant for a New Mon State Party (NMSP) member for involvement in the explosion. But NMSP denied that their man was involved.
This pipeline was laid in 2000 for the Myaing-ka-lay cement factory and it is more than 200 kilometres long. The gas comes from Yatana offshore in Kabauk area, Tenasserim division.
posted by Marko at 3/09/2006 08:50:00 AM
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