ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

by Than Htike Oo | Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Glaring discrimination in the army has compelled two Burmese soldiers to desert and seek refuge in an ethnic rebel controlled area in eastern Burma last week.

The two Burmese soldiers, Win Htun and Win Moe belonging to the Light Infantry Battalion (531) stationed in Pharusoe town, Kayah (Kareni) state, fled and took refuge in the Kareni rebel controlled area on the Thailand-Burma border on December 11, 2008.

The two Burmese soldiers deserted following a two-day trip, along with seven other colleagues, to buy some commodities in Maehong Song district in the territory of Thailand for army rations, Khuke, in-charge of information department of Karreni Social Welfare and Development Centre (KSWDC) told Mizzima.

"They deserted from the Burmese Army because they could not bear the discrimination and repression meted out by a high ranking official to ordinary soldiers in the army," Khuke said.

"The deserters alleged that Captain Min Min had exploited their salaries while they were on duty on the front line. They were also forced to fence the army camp. That's why they deserted from the army," Khuke quoted the two Burmese deserters as having said.

The two deserters have taken refuge with the Kareni rebel group called the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and have vowed to strike back against the Burmese Army, according to Khuke.

Khu Oo Re, Secretary (2) of KNPP told Mizzima that his party has not yet taken any decision on whether the two deserters will be allowed to serve KNPP but is ready to help them.

"It depends on them (two deserters) to take a decision to get involved in our movement. Then, we will decide whether to accept them or not. But, we have a responsibility to help them," Khu Oo Re said.