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Myanmar vigilante opium stand-off continues Myanmar vigilante opium stand-off continues
(35 minutes later)
A stand-off is continuing in Myanmar between police and Christian anti-drug vigilantes, who want to destroy poppy fields in the northern state of Kachin.A stand-off is continuing in Myanmar between police and Christian anti-drug vigilantes, who want to destroy poppy fields in the northern state of Kachin.
Police have stopped members of the Pat Jasan Christian group - some wearing military-style uniforms - outside the town of Waingmaw.Police have stopped members of the Pat Jasan Christian group - some wearing military-style uniforms - outside the town of Waingmaw.
Farmers says they will fight back if the campaigners are let through.Farmers says they will fight back if the campaigners are let through.
Myanmar is Southeast Asia's top opium producer - and the world's second largest after Afghanistan.Myanmar is Southeast Asia's top opium producer - and the world's second largest after Afghanistan.
"Local army and police told us that they are still blocking the way for security reasons," Hpala Lum Hkawng, a Pat Jasan member told French news agency AFP.
China's drug habit fuels return of the Golden TriangleChina's drug habit fuels return of the Golden Triangle
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.But over the last decade commercial poppy production has taken hold.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2015 that opium poppy grown in Myanmar and Laos had been refined into about 73.1 tonnes to 82.3 tonnes of street-quality heroin.The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2015 that opium poppy grown in Myanmar and Laos had been refined into about 73.1 tonnes to 82.3 tonnes of street-quality heroin.
"The region's demand for heroin remains at unacceptably high levels and transnational organised crime groups are making huge profits," it said."The region's demand for heroin remains at unacceptably high levels and transnational organised crime groups are making huge profits," it said.
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.
Demand from China, but also Australia and Japan, is one factor behind the rise in production in the last decade.Demand from China, but also Australia and Japan, is one factor behind the rise in production in the last decade.
Who are Pat Jasan?
Myanmar launched a 15-year plan to eliminate opium poppy cultivation in 1999 - a deadline since extended to 2019.Myanmar launched a 15-year plan to eliminate opium poppy 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.
Pat Jasan is made up of activists who have the backing of Kachin Baptist Convention.
"Local army and police told us that they are still blocking the way for security reasons," Hpala Lum Hkawng, a Pat Jasan member told French news agency AFP.