Police force villagers to grow sunflower plants

News - S.H.A.N.

Written by Hseng Khio Fah
Friday, 18 January 2008
The Burmese police have been forcing villagers in Mong Ngaw Township, Kyaukme District, northern Shan State to grow sunflower saplings for cooking oil after harvesting their monsoon paddy. Since October last year, villages in Mong Ngaw Township have been forced to grow sunflower plants and each village was ordered to grow at least five to six acres. In order to grow the saplings, villagers need to buy seeds with their own money. A can of seeds is Kyat 1,200 (about US $ 1) and they need to spend at least Kyat 1 million (US $ 800) per five to six acres a village. "Currently, people are using their village funds to buy the seeds. But it is not enough, so each household has to pay another Kyat 40,000 (US $ 32). If the money is not enough, then the village headmen will collect again," said Nang Hsa, a villager from Manpint in the township. Another villager, Sai Zing complained "I don't know why the junta always wants to oppress us. We always have to do as we are told. When they ask for money, we must pay, even if we don't have money to buy food. I had no money to pay. That's the reason I came to Thailand. I came to ask for help from my relatives here. If I can't pay, the authorities will double the amount of fine." Mong Ngaw Township is home to many different religions and ethnic nationalities such as Lisu, Kachin, Shan, Palaung and Wa. Many of them are tea planters.