Green Shans emulate rich hilltribes

Green Shans emulate rich hilltribes

Drugs

Many Shans in Mongkok, a sub-township northeast of Monghsat, opposite Chiangmai and Chiangrai provinces, have begun to engage in poppy cultivation this season, inspired by the growing prosperity of the neighboring hilltribes, according to sources from Monghsat. 

"Three of the 8 Shan villages where I live have already started," said a 52-year old Shan to S.H.A.N. on 18 October. 

Monghsat is a township where Shans appear to be a distinct minority. "Everywhere we look, Akha and Lahu, protected both by their militia leaders and the Burmese military, are getting rich while we keep sinking low." 

Two of the most prominent militia chieftains in the area are Ja Seubo of Nampan in the neighboring township of Monghpyak, whose influence extends beyond the artificial borders into Monghsat, and Ja Ngoi of Punako, whose refineries are reputedly protected by the local army units. Others less known are Ja Bo of Wankawng, Ja Saw of Pongzoy and Yawna of Monghai (also in Monghpyak).

The Shan valley-dwellers were further encouraged by the speech of the township officer U Ni Myint, who visited Mongkok on 12 July. 

"Officially, poppy cultivation is illegal," he was quoted by a villager who was present at the meeting. "However, as the government is as yet not in a position to support you, my advice is that you keep your fields way out of sight." 

However, the "rookie" farmers went into despair, when in early October, an 8-men delegation of police and drug officials visited Mongkok and ordered the local people to grow other crops instead. "We were warned by the officers that they would be back in a few months, and if they were to find any more poppy fields in the area, we would face punishment." 

The Shans were duly consoled by their neighbors. "It's nothing new. They have been telling us the same thing each year and we're used to it," they cheered the unhappy Shans. "All we have to find are gifts of chicken, wine and cash for them and a few plots of land where we will grow poppies for them to destroy as the video cameras record the event." 

According to The New Light of Myanmar, 30 January, Monghsat is already poppy free. 

On 7 October, Burma's drug enforcement agency, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, took the decision for significant reduction of opium production and threatened effective punishments for officials who failed in their tasks. 

Poppy fields in Monghsat produce about 3 viss (4.8 kg) of opium.