Villager

Villager: Junta waging war of drugs on Shans

Drugs

A source across the border has alleged that Rangoon has been destroying the Shans with drugs. 

The source, who requested anonymity, reported that a Col. Saw Win from Kengtung, on 24 June, at a meeting with battalion commanders in Mongton had placed special emphasis on the point. 

"We must by all means get the Shans to become addicted to drugs," he was quoted as saying. 

The meeting was attended by Lt.-Col Myint Sway, Commander, IB 65, Lt.-Col. Maung Maung Than who had recently replaced outgoing Lt.-Col. Chit Hla as Commander, IB 225 and Lt.-Col Aung Htun, Commander, LIB 519. 
He also urged the commanders to sell 150,000 pills of methamphetamines each per month. "If you can sell more, even better," he said. He also warned them that those who failed to achieve the 150,000 mark were liable to face transfer. 

"If you can sell this much, one-third from the proceeds will be yours personally, another third for your men and the rest for our common fund," he said, according to the source. 

Burma has pledged to eliminate drugs by the year 2014. 

Reporting Time: 18:00, 26 June 2001