"The cows are being stolen. We lost seven cows since December 2006. The authorities are unable to identify those involved in the theft, a local said.

He requested that the name of the owners not be made public or else the authorities would take action against them for reporting the matter.

The local army units are aware of the thefts. If local people have been stealing and slaughtering the cows it can easily be identified. But the authorities have not been able to identify anybody.

"The army units have their own land and camps. No one is allowed to enter these areas. One is sure that they are involved and have been hiding all evidence," he told Khonumthung News.

Most people in Tahan depend on farming and agricultural and need to have cows. Cows are bought and sold for Kyat 200,000 to 400,000.

The farmers' families are being forced to watch over their cows everyday to prevent it being stolen and butchered. They will have trouble earning their livelihood and continuing with farming if they lose cows. This has kept them on their toes and they watch the cattle continuously.

All the cases were reported to the authorities. But there has been no reaction and none has been caught. That is because they are themselves involved in the thefts, he added.

Most people in Tahan Township have cows as they are into farming and agriculture. But now they are frustrated and disappointed with the theft and slaughter. – KNG.