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Clashes erupt in north Myanmar over opium poppy fields Clashes erupt in north Myanmar over opium poppy fields
(about 4 hours later)
Clashes have erupted in northern Myanmar between farmers and Christian anti-drug vigilantes attempting to destroy opium poppy fields.Clashes have erupted in northern Myanmar between farmers and Christian anti-drug vigilantes attempting to destroy opium poppy fields.
The vigilantes had earlier been locked in a stand-off with security forces, who have been monitoring the conflict.The vigilantes had earlier been locked in a stand-off with security forces, who have been monitoring the conflict.
Activists from the Baptist church-connected Pat Jasan group said three were injured in an ambush, and farmers were holding about 30 others. Activists from the Baptist church-connected Pat Jasan group said three people were injured in an ambush, and farmers were holding about 30 others.
Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of opium.Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of opium.
Over the past week at least 3,000 activists with the militia-inspired Pat Jasan have been camped out at an army checkpoint in Kachin state demanding to be let through.Over the past week at least 3,000 activists with the militia-inspired Pat Jasan have been camped out at an army checkpoint in Kachin state demanding to be let through.
Read more: China's drug habit fuels return of the Golden TriangleRead more: China's drug habit fuels return of the Golden Triangle
Burmese media report that the stand-off ended when authorities finally allowed the activists to clear some poppy fields on Wednesday. The BBC understands the Kachin state government negotiated their passage.Burmese media report that the stand-off ended when authorities finally allowed the activists to clear some poppy fields on Wednesday. The BBC understands the Kachin state government negotiated their passage.
The vigilantes then engaged in skirmishes with farmers who have vowed to protect their fields.The vigilantes then engaged in skirmishes with farmers who have vowed to protect their fields.
Myanmar has promised to eradicate opium production, but growing and smuggling the drug remains a key source of income for farmers, rebel groups, militia and the Burmese army.Myanmar has promised to eradicate opium production, but growing and smuggling the drug remains a key source of income for farmers, rebel groups, militia and the Burmese army.
Who are Pat Jasan?Who are Pat Jasan?
Myanmar launched a 15-year plan to stamp out cultivation in 1999 - a deadline since extended to 2019.Myanmar launched a 15-year plan to stamp out cultivation in 1999 - a deadline since extended to 2019.
In recent years, Myanmar's army has clashed with ethnic minority rebels in Shan and Kachin states where poppy production is widespread.In recent years, Myanmar's army has clashed with ethnic minority rebels in Shan and Kachin states where poppy production is widespread.
The army, rebels and militias have been accused of taking a poppy tax from farmers.The army, rebels and militias have been accused of taking a poppy tax from farmers.
Opium has traditionally been used as a medicine to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and other ailments.Opium has traditionally been used as a medicine to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and other ailments.
But over the last decade commercial poppy production has taken hold in Myanmar, with demand from China, but also Australia and Japan, helping to fuel this trend.But over the last decade commercial poppy production has taken hold in Myanmar, with demand from China, but also Australia and Japan, helping to fuel this trend.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2015 that the opium poppy grown in Myanmar and Laos had been refined into about 73.1 tonnes to 82.3 tonnes of street-quality heroin. It noted that transnational organised crime groups were making huge profits from the product.The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2015 that the opium poppy grown in Myanmar and Laos had been refined into about 73.1 tonnes to 82.3 tonnes of street-quality heroin. It noted that transnational organised crime groups were making huge profits from the product.
Until the end of the 20th Century, Myanmar, which was part of the so-called "Golden Triangle" with neighbouring Laos and Thailand, was the largest supplier of opium. The region was then overtaken by Afghanistan.Until the end of the 20th Century, Myanmar, which was part of the so-called "Golden Triangle" with neighbouring Laos and Thailand, was the largest supplier of opium. The region was then overtaken by Afghanistan.