Rebels in Laos seize city

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33739, 11 January 1975, Page 13

Rebels in Laos seize city

(A’eio Zealand Press Association— Copyright) VIENTIANE, January 9. A second provincial capital seized by disgruntled Laotians in a month was sealed off by the Army today to stop the rebellion from spreading.

Royal Lao Army troops sealed off the city of Takhek after students took over two Government buildings, a Government spokesman said. Radio reports said that one person was killed and 10 wounded when about 300 people sympathetic to the students marched on Takhek and were met by soldiers. An exchange of stonethrowing and gunfire broke out, the reports said. The city is only 10 miles from the United States Air Force base at Nakom Phanom in Thailand and 220 miles south of Vientiane. The students who occupied the public works and Public Information offices on Monday issued a list of demands similar to those made by

disgruntled Government! forces when they seized Ban Houei Sai, a north-western Lao provincial capital last month. The Government negotiated an end to the Ban Houei Sai seizure nine days ago. The demands include establishment of Takhek as a neutral city in the conflict between pro-American and pro-Communist Pathet Lao forces, an end to Government corruption, dissolution of the present National Assembly, and. steps to lower the cost of living.

The Government said that the Army was ordered to seal off Takhek to prevent the disturbance from spreading. Anyone can leave Takhek, he said, but no-one is allowed in.