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Anti-drug campaign in Myanmar abandoned after attack

Christian activists say they will work with the new government and the UN to rid the country of opium poppy plantations
Anti-drug campaign in Myanmar abandoned after attack

Injured anti-drug campaigners are brought to a hospital in Myitkyina, Kachin state's capital city on Feb. 25. About 30 campaigners were injured in the attacks as they attempted to clear opium poppy fields. (Photo by Jade Land Kachin's facebook page)

Published: February 29, 2016 11:32 AM GMT
Updated: February 29, 2016 11:33 AM GMT

A Christian anti-drug movement has abandoned efforts to clear opium poppy plantations in Myanmar's conflict-stricken Kachin state after dozens of its members were attacked on Feb. 25.

Hkalam Samson, general secretary of Kachin Baptist Convention, said that Pat Jasan has abandoned their mission, as local authorities are unable to provide adequate security for campaigners.

Pat Jasan, the anti-drug movement was established two years ago by the Kachin Baptist Church.

About 30 Pat Jasan volunteers were injured in a grenade and gunfire attacks by unknown assailants as they cleared opium poppy fields.

"We feel that we don't get fully supported by local authorities so we fear for the safety of our volunteers. And we want to avoid unnecessary problems amid the political transition in the country so we have abandoned it so far," Hkalam Samson told ucanews.com on Feb 29.

Hkalam Samson added that their group would cooperate with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime for future anti-drug campaigns.

"We will observe the interest of the new National League for Democracy-led government on drug issue and how can they collaborate with us for anti-drug campaign," said Hkalam Samson.

Myanmar's new parliament has called on the union government to support community-based anti-drug campaign and give necessary security assistance to the campaigners.

Lama Naw Aung, a Catholic and lower house member of parliament from Kachin State Democracy Party said that it seems a new parliament's voice will have less  of an impact because it is a period of transition.

"I want to know why local authorities can't give enough security assistance in collaboration with militia groups and the military," Lama Naw Aung told ucanews.com on Feb. 29.

Made up mostly of ethnic Kachin, Pat Jasan began clearing poppy fields two years ago but put their efforts on hold in January after a member was killed and three others injured. A 19-year-old Kachin man was shot dead by a sniper suspected to be the owner of a poppy field that the group was clearing.

Around 3,000 Pat Jasan members were allowed to continue their mission on Feb. 23 after ending a weeklong standoff with local authorities.

Myanmar is the world's second largest opium producer after Afghanistan. Opium production brings in nine to 15 times more money per hectare than rice according to a 2011 opium survey by the United Nations.

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