NEWS - Junta Commanders Scramble fo

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Subject: NEWS - Junta Commanders Scramble for Opium Tax

Shan Herald Agency for News - 10 December 1999
 
No: 12 - 13
 
Junta Commanders Scramble for Opium Tax
 
Military commanders in eastern Shan State are scrambling over each other 
for tax from the poppy farmers, reported SNA from Kengtung.
 
"Battalion commands in Mongpiang Township in the Triangle Command are
busy 
collecting tax from the local farmers for the year's opium season", he 
said. "Farmers are paying K. 4,000 per field to each battalion".
 
As there were four active battalions in the area, namely IB 43
(commanded 
by Ltc. Aye Kyaw), LIB 332, LIB 360 and LIB 528, the farmers, most of
whom 
are Palaungs, paid a total sum of K. 16,000 per field.
 
"But, as the current price is K. 130,000 - 150,000 per viss, nobody 
complains much", he said. "It is at least better than being forced 
relocated or being subject to all sorts of abuses that are commonplace".
 
The soil in Petkang Tract in Mongpiang has long been known to be
especially 
suitable for poppy cultivation, and has reportedly made life easier for 
many farmers, whose houses are now roofed with either zinc sheets or
tiles 
instead of thatches, commonly seen in the Shan rural areas.
 
Sai Kornseng, IB 43's tax collector, is often found in the poppy
villages 
with 5-6 of his followers.