The Chin National Party (CNP) will submit a motion in the ensuing session of the state assembly from 8 November 2011 to set up a committee for prohibition of opium in Chin state, Burma.
The party will propose forming a committee to prohibit opium under the state government. State Hluttaw representative, politicians of Chin state, United Nations representatives and experts should be in the committee, said Mr. Ceu Bik Thawng, General Secretary of CNP.
There are opium plantations owned by India’s northeast rebel groups in Ton Zang Township and Cikha sub-township of northern Chin state. The rebels have an understanding with the local Burmese authority since 2006.
Besides, there are opium plantations in the township owned by local people who have opted for it instead of Jhum cultivation. Opium plantations have increased to around 1000 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 to 29 October 2011 to bring down opium production in the region.
The Chinworld media reported that opium cultivators from Ton Zang Township have been allotted 80 Pyi (115.2 kilograms) of opium seeds and Cikha cultivators gave 90 pyi. Mr. Hung Ngai, Chief Minister and Mr. Kyi Lin, Police Director of Chin state attended in the ceremony.
Mr. Ceu Bik Thawng, General Secretary of CNP said about the opium seed allotment ceremony that it is constructive in intention but it is not good 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.
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 coming under production and how many youths are addicted. Khonumthung news