Kengtung, 19 February

Police have destroyed eight acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Mongpanle village tract, Kengtung Township, eastern Shan State, on February 18, according to the Myanmar Police Force.

A combined team, including Police Col. Thant Zin, Deputy Police Chief of Shan State (Kengtung), Police Lt-Col. Aung Myint Kyi, Acting Police Chief of Kengtung District, Police Superintendent Win Lwin, Acting Police Chief of Kengtung Township, the Tatmadaw members from Local military installation and departmental officials jointly eradicated poppy fields. The operation also led to the destruction of 11 acres of blooming poppies, located about five furlongs north of Pinwat Village in Mongpanle village tract, Kengtung Township, Shan State (East).

Plans are underway to promote the cultivation of alternative crops to replace poppy, and relevant departments are collaborating to stop poppy farming while encouraging the growth of other commercial crops in the Township. — Aung Zin Myint (IPRD)

Translated by JT