Kachin drug vigilantes assaulted

The 2,000-strong vigilante group separated into six sub-groups of about 300.

Two of the groups were assaulted with makeshift grenades and rifles, mines, knives, bats, sticks and stones when they were setting up a camp near poppy plantations between Wai Moe and Sin Kyaing villages.

According to witnesses, around 30 villagers initially threatened the vigilantes with warning shots at around 9:20am. An extra 100 armed villagers later joined the group. About 15 police officers accompanied the vigilantes.

Two military regiments at Tayoke Makar village half a mile away arrived hours later at around noon.

“We were attacked at a hill near Wai Moe village. There was an explosion although I am not clear whether it was a grenade or a mine. Explosions and firearms injured around 30 people. All of the wounded are now at Myitkyina hospital. Other groups were attacked but they have not reached the hospital yet. There were no life-threatening injuries. Other groups that were not attacked marched ahead,” said Zaw Sai one of the vigilante leaders.

The activists chanted at border guards, accusing them of protecting drug dealers.