Photo Essay by Linn Let Arkar

88 Generation KNPP fighter

I was born in Karenni State, Myanmar, in 1960. I married when I was 18 years old, and by the time I was 20, I had three children, all of whom grew up with bullets flying over their heads. Our country was ruled by a military dictatorship, and our lives were far from tranquil. Since I was a child, I have witnessed the Myanmar military storming our villages, burning everything in sight and killing civilians. Many of my relatives were killed, and some were never seen again after the military troops arrived.

When the 1988 revolution happened in Myanmar, I joined the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) to fight the brutal dictatorship. We were either going to fight back or be destroyed by the military, so I figured I might as well fight back if I was going to die anyway. I left my wife and children and went into the jungle. I fought for 20 years until 2006, when a landmine exploded in my hand as I was setting it up to ambush military trucks.

There was no sound when it exploded, but I saw a very bright light. My comrades carried me back to safety, but because we were on the frontlines, they couldn't immediately take me to the hospital. I was in the jungle for 20 days with my injuries.

When I arrived at the hospital, the doctors were surprised that I was still alive. They said I was extremely lucky. I had 16 shrapnel pieces in my head, one in my chest, two in my shoulder, one in my elbow, and two in my hands. The doctors asked if I wanted them removed, but I was afraid of the surgery, so I said no.

I still have them to this day. I used to get really bad headaches in the winter, and it was very painful, but after all these years, it's gotten better.

In 2010, four years after the incident, I retired. We came here to live in peace and we have stayed here ever since. To make a living, we grow bananas and other fruit in our fields. It's very relaxing.

All of our children have moved out, they have their own families now. I haven't seen them since COVID started, and the military coup has made it even more difficult.

It's been more than 10 years since I retired, and the military has done it again. I'm 61 years old now, and it’s no longer my fight. We fought back because we didn't like the system that the military created in our country. If you don't like it, you must fight to have it changed.

I'm proud of the younger generation who are fighting back against the military. Keep going forward. Don't stop fighting until you achieve your goals. Fight until we get a federal democracy. Finish what we couldn't finish and put an end to this murderous regime.

Karenni State, Myanmar 
December 24, 2021