The Burma Army (BA) forced civilians to set up its camp near a new coal mine in Namsang Township in southern Shan State, according to a prominent Shan humanitarian organisation.

The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) reported 106 residents of Nam Mo village in Nawng Hee village tract were used as forced labourers from 29-30 March. The camp, which will house soldiers who provide security for the coal mine, was built without compensation on the farmland of Loung Hser, who lives in Nam Mo.

The SHRF spokesperson told NMG that the BA Light Infantry Battalion 553, under the Golden Triangle Command, forced villagers to cut bamboo and other wood for a fence and dig bunkers for the camp, which is located about 15 northeast of Namsang town and a little north of Kon Tee village.

“Locals fear that the BA will commit human rights violations in the area. Soldiers providing security for a mining company in Tang Yang and Hsipaw townships have abducted and beaten villagers,” he told NMG.

Ngwe Yi Pale Co Ltd, based in Mandalay, has been given the green light to extract the coal one mile from the camp. In November last year, the regime-controlled Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation confirmed five coal mining projects on 500 acres in Nawng Hee village and the company was awarded the contract for all coal mining in Namsang Township.

Locals are afraid the mine will negatively impact their quality of life by polluting the water sources for their farms and villages. According to SHRF, mining projects by Ngwe Yi Pale Co Ltd in Hsipaw,Tang Yang and Mong Yai townships in northern Shan State has damaged the environment and affected the health and livelihoods of local people.