Kachin organisation shuts down bars, karaoke venues in towns under its control

The Kachin Independence Army (KIO) on June 22 ordered the indefinite closure of karaoke bars, nightclubs, and other entertainment establishments, citing the need to clamp down on rampant narcotics abuse and trafficking in territories they control. A spokesperson for the KIO, which is the political wing of the powerful ethnic armed group Kachin Independence Army (KIA), said the businesses had become nests of rampant drug dealing and abuse, especially by young people. “We’re closing the bars because our youth are using drugs, and many young people’s lives are being destroyed. That’s why we've ordered the closure of KTVs, bars, night clubs, and entertainment venues in KIO-controlled territories,” said Col. Naw Bu, the KIO/KIA spokesperson. Karaoke machines and venues are commonly called KTVs in the region. Referencing information provided by its Drug Eradication Committee, the KIO order said that the men and women who gather at the entertainment venues to use drugs are causing moral degradation among the youth and marital and domestic problems within families. According to Col. Naw Bu, ketamine-based drugs called “K” and a psychoactive substance called “happy water” are readily available in clubs and karaoke bars. “There are different drugs with various names: K, happy water, marijuana… These are the main consumable items in the karaoke bars and night clubs. They’re the reason our youth are being corrupted, so we've ordered their closure,” he said. The bars, nightclubs, and karaoke venues in all towns under the control of the KIA and KIO are subject to the order to shut down. The KIA has captured and held control of the town of Mabein in northern Shan State, as well as more than a dozen towns in Kachin State: Dawthponeyan, Injangyang, Chipwe, Hpi Maw, Mansi, Momauk, Myo Hla, Pangwa (Pang War), Sadung, Sinbo, Sumprabum, Tsawlaw, and the border trade towns of Kan Paik Ti and Lwegel (Lweje or Loi Je).” A resident of the jade-mining hub of Hpakant said the Kachin organisation has also ordered the establishments to close in Hpakant Township, which is only partially under the control of KIA fighters. Even establishments in some areas still under the military regime’s control, including some urban wards of Hpakant and the village of Long Hkin, Hpakant Township, may also choose to close their doors in compliance with the KIA’s directive, according to the Hpakant resident. “Long Hkin and some areas of Hpakant are occupied by junta troops, and there’s even a junta gunpowder production site. But the directive also applies to those areas, so KTVs in the area will have to close. They wouldn’t dare to stay open,” he said. “It’s true no matter how much military council troop presence there is: even during times when the military had full control of Hpakant, people still had to comply with KIA directives,” the resident said. Some Hpakant residents interviewed by Myanmar Now said they welcomed the KIA directive, attributing the frequency of knife attacks and robberies in the township to increased drug abuse. Locals not only said they wanted karaoke venues and bars to close, but also casinos, which have ruined some of their family members’ and neighbours’ lives. Clashes have escalated in the area recently as junta forces have attempted to retake control of villages and hill bases seized by KIA-led fighters, mostly on the west side of Hpakant Township. Battles are also ongoing in Waingmaw Township on the Chinese border as well as in Bhamo in southern Kachin State, where the KIA and its allies have been fighting to take full control of the city.

Kachin organisation shuts down bars, karaoke venues in towns under its control

Clients at nightclubs and karaoke bars are increasingly dealing and using harmful drugs, according to the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) order

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