Rhododendron News Bimonthly Publication since 1998 Volume XIV, Issue V September-October 2011 Contents At A Glance Arbitrary Taxation & Extortion Page 3-5 Forced Labour Page 6-8 Freedom of Religion Page 9-11 Other Human Rights Violations Page 11-13 Food Crisis & Humanitarian Situation Page 14-17 Situation of Refugees Page 18-22 Chin State Government Page 23-24 Cartoon Page 26 Christian Crosses Demolished in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State (Photo: CHRO) Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) 2-Montavista Avenue, Nepean, K2J 2L3, Canada Ph: 1-613-843-9484 Email:
[email protected] Web: www.chro.ca Landslide-Destroyed roads in Chin State (Photo: CHRO) Table of Contents Arbitrary Taxation & Extortion Page 3-5 Extortion, Forced Labor Wears Down Chin Villagers Money Collected from Households for Construction of Village Tract Office Money Collected from Students for Township Funds in Falam Army Extorted Money and Goods from Villagers Soldiers Forcibly Extorted Money from Cattle Traders Army Extort Money from Bull Traders Again Soldiers Extorted Money and Seized Goods from Local Trader Forced Labour Page 6-8 Burmese Authority Forced to Floor Sand Army Soldiers Interrogated and Forced Villagers to Sign Students Forced to Attend Classes on Saturday due to Buddhist Sabbath Day Township Officers Ordered Village Heads to Collect ‘Guest Fees’ Burmese Army from Light Infantry Battalion No. 274 Forced Porter to Villagers Locals Forced to Mend Roads ahead of Transport Minister’s Visit Freedom of Religion Page 9- 11 Chin Christian Pastor Ordered