'We feel there is no protection for us': Christians attacked by machete-weilding drug traffickers

Now we are running for our lives.'

When a Christian vigilante group split up to destroy poppy fields used to create opium, they were attacked by drug traffickers, leaving an unknown number of Christians severely injured.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Pat Jassan, a Christian vigilante group in Myanmar, China, split 300 of their members into teams who attempted to destroy poppy fields used to create opium.

When they attempted to enter the fields, the drug traffickers and cultivators defended their product.

"They first tried to stop us as we were about to enter the poppy fields there," one member, who wished to remain anonymous, said. "Later they beat us and threw stones at us. Then they burnt tents and took away our food.

"Later they opened fire... and some soldiers and police, who were with us for security, also had to run away. The gunmen who attacked us are believed to be militants operating in the area."

Though not every group's fate is known, one man was reportedly beaten and severely injured.

"We still don't know about the others," the Pat Jassan member admitted. "Now we are running for our lives."

China has been fighting a drug war for years, with 10.25 tons of drugs already confiscated by the China National Narcotics Control Commission.

One Myitkyina District police officer swore, "We will help [the Christians] to search for possible missing campaigners who have run for their lives and now plan to send more security persons to help them."

Kham Thu Dan Shaung, a Pat Jassan committee member explained: "We feel that there's no protection for us yet the Parliament in Naypyidaw discussing our anti-poppy campaigns. We urgently need full support and protection from the government. 

"Our campaign is to help and support the government's plan to eliminate drugs and poppy plantations. Since we were attacked lie this, it is a sign that some people still want to profit out of drug production and that's not good for our country's future."

With Myanmar as the world's second largest opium producer, an emergency meeting was called on Thursday, concluding with the Chinese parliament deciding to approve a motion to support Pat Jassan.

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