ROAD TO MONLAND REOPENED ( Kao-Wao ) February 2, 2003

ROAD TO MONLAND REOPENED

(Kao-Wao, February 2, 2003)

The one and only road to Monland reopened in mid January after being closed for over one year due to the armed conflict between the New Mon State Party and the splinter group Hongsawatoi Restoration Party.

The Halockhanee Ye motor road in the Southern part of Burma has been under the control of the Mon for several years and is an economic advantage for those wishing to avoid SPDC checkpoints. Col. Pan Nyunt closed it off with land mines on December 15, 2001 after he split from the NMSP, with many Mons complaining about its closure.

When Col. Pan Nyunt announced in November 2001 that he was resuming the fight against the military regime, Burmese army launched an operation against him and his troops, then several skirmishes between the two Mon groups followed, which totally closed the road off to travellers. According to IMNA, the HRP laid land mines along the road to protect their military operations in response to the operation of the Burmese Army since in December 2001.

The source from Sangkhlaburi Thai-Burma border reported that more members from Hongsarwatoi Restoration Party (HRP) have rejoined the NMSP and fighting between the two has subsided allowing the NMSP to repair the 60 km road in two weeks.

The majority of local traders and migrant workers relied on this route because they pay a small tax collection since it is not under the regime's administration.

A happy truck driver said, "This is the only road for local people and migrant workers to cross the border without passing the Burmese army check points and we are relieved that the road is finally reopened".