"Land disputes between farmers and the Burma Army in northern Shan State has been going on for decades. Villagers in Kyaukme Gyi have been trying to get back thousands of acres they say the Army (aka Tatmadaw) stole from them in 2000. Farmers started cultivating these fields again in 2017. The Tatmadaw responded by opening criminal cases against them. “The Army has charged us for various offences (over the years),” Eh Naw, a farmer told SHAN. “A police officer told us the Army recently opened a new case against 13 farmers.” “We’re being charged for plowing our fields…we can’t continue working our farms because we need to attend court hearings.” Kham, also a farmer from Kyaukme Gyi, said after their land was seized they no longer have a regular income and struggle to survive and send their children to school. Three members of her family have been charged for cultivating their confiscated farms..."