Burmese military regime approved poppy fields are increasing by the year in Tonzang Township, northern Chin state in Burma.
A local in Tongzang told Khonumthung News that poppy field acreage is increasing by the year in Thangsih, Thawng Bual Len kawt and other neighbouring villages in Tongzang Township. In 2007 there were only 200 acres of poppy fields. It is almost 1000 acres this year.
The junta authorities collect tax from poppy plantations at the rate of Kyat 50,000 per acre from villagers. The plants have now grown to almost two feet.
“Permission was given by the local military head office, including the township police head. In 2007 the total acreage was only 200 but now it’s almost 1000 acres. The authorities permitted plantations and are collecting taxes at the rate of Kyat 5,000 an acre. The poppy field owners are planting poppy to make more profit than they would get from other cultivations. A daily worker can earn Kyat 3000 a day,” he added.
The regime has been allowing poppy plantation since 2005, which will be valid till 2010. The poppy fields are guarded by an ethic insurgent group in northeast India.
“The ethnic armed group is known as the underground by locals. They watch and guard the poppy fields so that it is not destroyed by animals or humans. They take poppies as tax. They have identity cards issued by Burma’s Wa ethnic rebel group,” said a local on condition of anonymity.
The Wa known as the United Wa State Army and the junta have a cease fire pact. The group is one of the biggest armed groups in Burma.
Meanwhile, the Meitei insurgency group is also active in the Indo-Myanmar border area in Tamu, Tongzang, Chikha and Tidim towns. They have a rapport with local Burmese Army units.
The poppy cultivators sell green poppies at Kyat 14 lakhs per kilogram. Sometimes they exchange 1 kg of green poppy for a Chinese bicycle. However, the local elders and religious leaders disapprove of cultivation and sale of poppy in their areas and cultivators keeping in touch with underground groups from other countries. But they are afraid to speak their mind as it is permitted by the junta.
Similarly, there are 500 acres of poppy fields in Aisih and SuanHawi villages of Tongzang Township.
