This report information was submitted to KHRG in November 2012 by a community member describing events occurring in Pa'an District, during October 2012. On October 14th, a 21-year-old M--- villager, named Naw W---, was killed after being raped by a 23-year-old man from P--- village, Saw N---. Saw N--- reportedly used amphetamines that were manufactured and distributed by Border Guard Battalion #1016. According to villagers in T'Nay Hsah Township, the drug has caused problems for local communities, which are looking for ways to control use and distribution.

On October 14th 2012, a 21-year-old woman named Naw W---, who was from M--- village, was raped and killed by a 23-year-old man from P--- village, named Saw N---. The community member who submitted this information, reported to KHRG that Saw N--- had also sexually abused Naw W--- prior to the incident that resulted in her death. After this first incident of abuse, both Naw W--- and Saw N---'s parents met to agree that the two should be married, and they continued under this arrangement until Naw W---'s death. After her death, she was found with blood covering her face and thighs; her sarong was completely soaked with blood.[1] 

The community member reported that the perpetrator uses a drug called yaba.[2] Most of the villagers reported that, in their township, people sell it openly and it is very prevalent. The villagers in the area raise concerns about the prevalence ofyaba in their communities and the negative effects that it has had on youths in the area. They do not want yaba to be sold, because it is perceived to increase incidents of rape and violence, similar to Naw W---'s. According to villagers in T'Nay Hsah, there has been irreparable harm to many children and youth because of the drug, which some villagers believe is used by youth as a form of escape from their situation; the community member reported that yaba is one of the biggest problems affecting the villagers.

The person who manufactures the drug in the area, is Border Guard battalion #1016's commander, Mya Khaing. He operates a production site in T'Nay Hsah Township, and he distributes it to villages in the area. Because the source of the drug is linked to an armed group, villagers do not dare to complain about the problems they experience to them. One villager also reported to the community member that, because of yaba, many villagers have become even poorer, as a result of the cost of their addiction. Villagers reported to the community member that they are looking for ways to remove the drug from their communities as soon as possible, but they are also looking for assistance to accomplish this goal.

Tue, 11 Dec 2012

Footnotes: 

[1] According to the community member, Saw N--- was arrested by the KNLA, but there is no further update on the status of his incarceration.

[2] Yaba, which means 'crazy medicine' in Thai, is a tablet form of methamphetamine. Introduced to East Asia during World War II to enhance soldiers' performance, methamphetamine has become increasingly popular in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Vietnam, and in Burma where it is typically manufactured; see "Yaba, the 'crazy medicine' of East Asia," UNODC, May 2008.

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