The party will propose forming a committee to prohibit the use of opium under the state government. State Hluttaw representatives, politicians of Chin State, United Nations representatives, and experts should participate in the committee, said Mr. Ceu Bik Thawng, General Secretary of CNP.

Ppium plantations owned by India’s northeast rebel groups exist in Ton Zang Township and Cikha Sub-township of northern Chin State. The rebels have had an understanding with the local Burmese authorities since 2006.

Besides, there are opium plantations in the townships owned by local people who have opted to cultivate opium instead of jhum. The size of opium plantations has increased to around 1,000 acres in the state. As a result of the increase in opium plantations, some local youth have become addicted to opium, said an observer.

Mr. Hung Ngai, Chin State Chief Minister, monitored an opium seed allotment service in Ton Zang Town and Cikha Sub-township of Chin State between 28–29 October 2011 aimed at reducing opium production in the region.

Chinworld Media reported that opium cultivators from Ton Zang Township have been allotted 80 pyi (115.2 kilograms) of opium seeds and Cikha cultivators have been given 90 pyi. Mr. Hung Ngai, Chief Minister, and Mr. Kyi Lin, Police Director of Chin State, attended the ceremony.

Mr. Ceu Bik Thawng said that the opium seed allotment ceremony is constructive in intention, but is not enough to prohibit opium production.

“The monitoring programme is good, but we cannot calculate how many acres are being planted. The government should make the allotments publicly. We should know the details as to where the seeds are going,” said Mr. Thawng.

The opium seed allotment programme will not solve the problem of opium production in the state, and the opium prohibition committee should catalogue how many acres are being used for cultivation and how many youths are addicted. Khonumthung news