The Chin National Organisation (CNO), the political wing of the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), announced on March 26 that it strongly opposes opium poppy cultivation in Falam Township, Chin State, declaring a ban on such activities and warning of strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for non-compliance.
Opium cultivation has been reported in the eastern part of Falam Township and along border areas with India.
CNO/CNDF spokesperson Salai Timmy said that enforcement against opium cultivation was not effectively carried out during efforts to seize Falam Town, the township seat, but will now be strengthened in response to public complaints.
“Since after 2024, there have been cases of opium cultivation due to the financial crisis facing local communities. However, from now on, we will not allow this. We will destroy all opium fields we find. We now have a detailed list of opium farmers and cultivation areas, and we have especially noticed an increase in cultivation this year. We had been preoccupied with military matters and were unable to address the issue effectively. Now, following complaints from local villagers about opium cultivation in their areas, we have announced that we will take action,” he told Khonumthung News.
The CNO/CNDF has previously issued warnings about opium cultivation in Falam Township but has at times fallen short in taking effective action.
In its recent statement, the CNO/CNDF not only pledged a severe crackdown on opium cultivation but also warned that decisive action would be taken if resistance forces were found to be involved.
The CNO/CNDF said that while opium cultivation may have been driven by financial hardship during the crisis, such activities will no longer be permitted in Falam Township to safeguard the well-being of future generations. It also pledged to help opium farmers find alternative sources of income.
“We understand that some people turned to opium cultivation because of economic hardship during the revolution, and we sympathize with their situation. But moving forward, we will not permit this practice. We are working to support farmers in transitioning to other crops that are legal and can provide sustainable income. While stopping opium cultivation in other townships may not be possible, we cannot allow what is essentially an inappropriate pursuit of easy money in Falam. We will begin enforcing this crackdown from the day our statement is issued,” Salai Timmy said.
He also warned farmers against expanding opium cultivation and urged them to destroy existing fields. The CNO/CNDF statement also strongly condemned those who exploit political instability for personal gain through opium cultivation, as well as their behind-the-scenes supporters.