Two surveyors visiting poppy fields in Namkham township’s Mongwi tract were physically abused by members of the Burma Army run Panhsay People’s Militia Force (PMF) on Sunday, 12 January, according to local sources.

The two are Nai Tun Maung and Ant Kyaw. They were detained by the PMF at 14:00 after their 4 police escorts had left them, and questioned until 21:00 before release.

“We have lodged a complaint with the authorities concerned, but have yet to see any results,” one of the victims was quoted as saying.

The two are reportedly among those officials that had recently completed a government run opium suppression course in Lashio.

SHAN has tried to contact the PMF leaders for interview but failed to receive any response.

The Panhsay PMF is led by Kyaw Myint aka Win Maung aka Li Yongqiang, who also occupies a seat in the Shan State Assembly. During the election campaign in 2010 he was reported to have promised the people “if he won he would permit people to grow opium for 5 years,” according to a Palaung Women’s Organization (PWO) report, “Still Poisoned” (2011).
 
Other Members of Parliament reported to be involved in drug production and trade, according to Shan Drug Watch 2012, include:
   Liu Guoxi            National Assembly
   Wilson Moe         National Assembly
   Ho Xiaochang      People’s Assembly
   T. Hkun Myat       People’s Assembly (he has denied personal involvement though the PMF
                             he led is known as a major drug producer, transporter and protector)
   Keng Mai            Shan State Assembly
   Bai Xuoqian         Shan State Assembly
   Myint Lwin           Shan State Assembly
   Zhao Dechang     Shan State Assembly

Opium production has increased during the current poppy season, especially in the north, according to sources in Shan State.