Since the first week of this month, members of the administration headed by U Laito, Chairman of the Township Peace and Development Council in Thang Tlang Township in Chin state, have been extorting money. Each household from rural areas has to pay Kyat 500 for permission to hack, burn and cultivate on hill farmland, said a source in Thang Tlang on condition of anonymity.

The directive also says that without paying tax to the administrative office, no one will be allowed to fell trees in the forests, nominated area for farmland, which is the first step to hill farm cultivation.

This sort of extortion in the first phase was said to be conducted in Khua Hrin Tlang and Van Zang Tlang areas in Thang Tlang Township. In these areas there are around 20 villages.

“Some have already paid up as they would like to start work as early as possible. Some are still to pay,” said source in Thang Tlang.

“Without timely hacking, burning and cultivation, the whole process of farm cultivation could be affected.  

Last year, hill farmers in several areas of Chin state were forced to pay Kyat 1,500 by TPDC authorities. 

Most Chin people are mainly dependent on hill-farm cultivation since time immemorial. -  KNG