The United Wa State Army (UWSA) is planning to hold a drug bonfire on UN World Anti-drugs Day, on June 26, at its headquarters in Panghsang, 100 km north of Shan State East capital Kengtung, to reiterate its pledge to the world in 2005, according to local sources close to the Wa leadership.

The activities will take place on the same day in three other principle towns Mongmai, Wiangkao and Mongpawk.

Kengtung and Lashio commanders are expected to be invited to observe the event along with Chinese officials and the media, according to a Wa officer from the anti-drug force.

To organize this event, the Wa authorities have been seizing drugs and have also been arresting suspected drug addicts since early June. Till date, there has been up to 200 arrests, said a local resident in Panghsang. “All suspects were thoroughly scrutinized before being taken into custody.”

Besides, as the ceremony draws near, security in the areas has also been tightened.

“They [Wa authorities] have been taking it seriously this time. They go from house to house and check even at night,” said another villager.

The UWSA was identified by the United States as a terrorist organization with connections to drug trafficking. It’s Deputy Head of Finance and Commander of the Thai-Burma border-based 171st Military Region, Wei Xuegang, is wanted both in Thailand and the US on drug charges.

In 2005, the Wa declared its territory as drug free. The group asked for the international community to provide food and promote education for the Wa people and encourage investments, open up markets and reduce taxes on Wa products.

But the group has to struggle alone to help its people as there were only some organizations, like China and World Food Program (WFP), which came to provide aid, mostly rice, according to a senior officer.

“The ruling Burmese military junta did not help much.”

Nevertheless, China, at the request of Naypyitaw, stopped providing food to the group after 2007. Likewise, the NGO programmes in the areas have also been decreasing compared to the previous period as their members were unable to travel in the areas freely as earlier since Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force (BGF) programme was proposed in April 2009. The UWSA has so far been against the programme.

“Because the members are mostly Burmans even though the organizations are formed by foreigners,” he said.