Opium Cultivation in Northern Burma

[shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

OPIUM-CULTIVATION IN MANN TONG REGION OF BURMA

The opium-cultivation has been increasing year by year
in the Mann Tong region which is 37 miles far from
Namtu Mine, situated in Northern Shan State of Burma.
In the past, opium was extensively grown in the areas
adjusted to the infamous "Golden Triangle Area" and Wa
and Kokang areas of Northern Burma. However, since
after the SLORC regime took over power in 1988, opium
growing areas have been expanding to the whole Upper
Burma. Especially, after the so-called "peace
agreements" were reached between the SLORC and some
ethnic armed groups in Northern Burma, the cultivation
areas were expanded to Kachin State, Naga Hills, Chin
State, Sagaing Division, Northern Shan State and some
parts of Mandalay Division.

In the north-west of Shan State, although opium was
traditionally grown in a small scale for the purpose of
medicine in the past, it has been tremendously
increasing after the peace truce reached between the
government (SLORC) and forces of Palaung National
Organization (PNO) which controlled the area.

In this region, joint armed forces of the SLORC and PNO
are stationed and opium-growing is controlled by self-
styled Major General Aik Phone of PNO, being supported
by the local commanders of SLORC. It is estimated that
Mann Tong area alone has 5,000 acres of opium-growing-
land in 1997. According to reliable sources, there is
no permanent opium refinery in the region and only in
the season (opium-refining season) Chinese merchants
from Yu Nan State of China came to the region with
necessary equipments and chemicals. They later became
Mobile Refineries for turning raw opium into No.4
heroin. The licenses for buying and refining opium in
the region are issued by Aik Phone, apparently with the
understanding and support of local commanders of SLORC.
The refined opium (No.4 heroin) are either sent to or
bought by the merchants who came down to the region
from Mandalay and Myitkyina. After opium-refining
season is ended, the equipments and surplus refined
heroin are brought back to Yu Nan State by the
merchants.

As the result of the negligence of the SLORC to the
increasing opium-cultivation in the region, most of the
youth (most are under 12) in Mann Tong region, La Sho,
Mu Se, Kut Khaing, Shwe Li, Pan Saing are being
addicted to heroin. Some of the economically well-to-do
families which have adult children are slowly moving to
other cities like Mandalay and Myitkyina as they are
afraid that their children would be dipped in the hell
of heroin consumption if they continue to stay in the
region.


News by :

Information Bureau
All Burma Students League
Date : 2nd May 1997