Hsihseng, 17 February

Police have begun destroying illegal poppy cultivation near Sawsa Village in Hsihseng Township, Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, southern Shan State, starting from 15 February this year, according to the Myanmar Police Force.

A combined team, including Police Deputy Superintendent Win Zaw Oo, Acting Police Chief of Hsihseng Township, members of the Tatmadaw led by Captain Thet Thar Naing from the local military base, and officials from the Township General Administration Department, Agriculture Department, Fire Services Department, Department of Land Records, Department of Forest and Department of Health jointly eradicated poppy fields. These included 15 acres of blooming poppies (approximately four feet tall) north of Sawsa Village, 11 acres of blooming poppies (approximately four feet tall) west of Sawsa Village, and four acres of blooming poppies (approximately four feet tall) east of Htiba Village in Hsihseng Township.

Since 15 February, a total of 30 acres of poppy plantations have been destroyed, with efforts continuing to eliminate the remaining plantations.—Township IPRD

Translated by JT