The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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May 2015 back issue
by Vincenzo Floramo
In the remote mountains of northern Shan state, Myanmar, close to the Chinese border, a rebel militia has been
waging a hidden, protracted war since 2012 against an enemy that possesses no weapons, nor even an army.
This rugged area is well-known as a hotspot for the cultivation of opium poppies, the plant from which morphine and
heroin are synthesized; a practice that has been profitable for some producers, but at a high social cost.
According to the UNDOC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), the cultivation of opium in Burma increased by
26% in 2013, marking the highest rise since the UNODC and the Myanmar government started their assessments in
2002.
Myanmar is the second largest opium-producing country in the world after Afghanistan; and Shan State remains the
centre of Myanmar's opium activities, accounting for 92 per cent of the country’s total cultivation. The north of the
state is the home of the Palaung ethnic minority, many of whom have cultivated and harvested the "sleepy plant" for
years. But the production and consumption of opium/heroin, while lucrative, has been devastating the Palaung
population. In some villages up to 80% of the men are addicts.
To fight the economic and social damages caused by opium to their people, the armed organisation of the Palaung
minority, the TNLA (T’ang National Liberation Army) declared a war on the plant in 2012. TNLA introduced prohibition
laws in the Palaung community areas under their control, and today cultivating, costuming and selling drugs is strictly
prohibited.
The TNLA claims to have 1,500 soldiers which this year were mainly put to destroy the poppy fields during the harvest
season. The commanders of this ragtag army has accused the Burmese Chinese minority of controlling the poppy
fields and working in collusion with local militias and the Burmese army.
The goal of the guerrilla is to replace the poppy fields with other crops like corn and tea. But the challenge is daunting
and the process has to be done gradually because it would interrupt the main source of income for the peasantry in
an area where the economy is dominated by opium.
Soldiers from the TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army) destroy an opium field in the ethnic Palaung area. Opium
and heroin are ideal trade products–they are in great demand, are very profitable to produce, and the products take up
little space.
Soldiers from the TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army) walking out from the forest near their battalion base after
destroying a poppy field.The leaves, which are innocuous, where collected to be used in a soup.
TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army) commander preparing the distribution of new AK47 assault rifle at the 101
battalion's base camp.
TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Palaung minority) officer checking security by radio
communication. 112 battalion TNLA officers and soldiers patrol the area around Loi Chyaram village, northern Shan
State Myanmar.
TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Palaung minority) officer distributes 200 munitions to
each soldier at 101 battalion, northern Shan state Myanmar.
A line of soldiers begins a late afternoon march. After two days of travel, they will join compatriots from other divisions
to celebrate Tabaung full moon day, an important Buddhist festival that celebrates the full moon.
TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army) Duty commander in chief Tar Khu Lan (Shoulders) gives an encouragement
speech to the soldiers at 101 battalion base camp.
An officer prepares a fire to burn 1.5 kilograms of opium that the army seized from traffickers near Loi Chyaram village.
Villagers are invited to witness the burning.
A TNLA soldier from the 101st Battalion rests in the army-controlled Region 1 in northern Shan state. The battalion is
stationed about three hours south of Loi Chyaram village, deep in the jungle.
TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army) soldiers relax while watching a movie at 101 battalion base camp. TNLA
strategy is based on mobility, with no permanent headquarters and small groups of soldiers constantly on the move.
TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army) war officer Tar Khoure Nyan, the third highest rank in the army, talks with local
villager in a Palaung house, north Shan state.
Soldier returning home at Loi Chyaram village after a patrolling day in the area. Burma’s war-torn Shan State is a well-
known hotspot for the cultivation of opium poppies, the plant from which morphine and heroin are synthesized.
Soldiers burn dry leaves in the early morning at the 101st battallion's camp. In the jungle, many leaves fall every night
and every day, so the soldiers must collect and dispose of them to keep the camp clean.
