Jade Prospectors Are Having Challenges Due To The Working Hours Set By The SAC Within Hpakant Jade Companies

Pajau Media

7th March, 2024

The SAC has come and arrested frequently to the people who work within jade companies since February 10th in Hpakant, Kachin State, according to the Jade Prospectors who work in that area.

According to a person who works in the company compound, it has become more difficult to work because of the frequent interrogations and arrests in the company compound and the restriction of working hours by the SAC.

“Before, we could work 24 hours. But recently, the SAC restricted working hours. We were just allowed to work at night, but not always. The day before yesterday, we had to stop working because the SAC was patrolling. Even working inside the company, I was afraid of being arrested. Last week the SAC came to inspect the Sabaw Maw Company and arrested people they suspected, so we are always worried,” said one of the jade prospectors inside the company.

After enacting the Conscription Law, the Jade Prospectors were no longer allowed to work during the day and were told to work only during the night.

As a result, jade prospectors are not allowed to work during the day and at night due to the conscription law of the SAC and the recruitment of new recruits by the anti-coup armed group. In addition, there are a lot of robberies in the Jade Market. And due to the ongoing clashes, they are also careful about the explosion of the artillery that will arrive.

“We have to be careful about robbers in the jade market, when there were clashes, there were also heavy weapons explosions, that were not known from where they were fired. At such times, it is difficult to go around because the SAC takes security and guards around that place,” said another local resident.

Hpakant region is the place where Kachin State’s jade is produced, as well as frequent deaths of the unwashed jade prospectors due to the collapse of waste land of jade companies and it was reported that a 40-year-old man was died when a pile of waste land belonging to a 1.1.1 company in MaNa Village collapsed at around 9:00 AM on the day before yesterday.

Additionally, on March 4th, a 30-year-old named Ko N-Hpan Seng Awng died after being hit by a stone from the waste land dump in Maw Si Zar Village.

News - Hugawng Thu