Paletwa: People living along the border in Paletwa Township in Chin State, Burma have been forced by Burmese Army authorities to look for Bulbophyllum Auricomum, a species of orchid, for the wife of the Western Command Commander General Thaung Aye, alleged many villagers.

"Four battalions stationed in the western border area were ordered by the wife of the western command commander to send 20 viss of this kind of orchid bearing sprays of greenish flowers to her. After which, the army authorities forced us to look for the bulbs of the orchid," a villager said.

It is believed that the orchid is to be cultivated in the garden of the western command located in Ann Town in Arakan State. Currently, the Light Battalion 35 and Light Infantry Battalion 289 are collecting the Bulbophyllum  Auricomum orchid from local residents after forcing them to look for the plant.

Many villagers from several villages on the border, namely, Taraw Ai, Mi Letwa, Tae Mawa, Set Pike Byin, Mi Chaung, Otha Lun, and Dalet May, are now looking for the orchid on orders of the authorities.

"The orchid Bulbophyllum Auricomum is very rare and it grows deep in the jungle in the mountain ranges in our area, but we are looking for it. If we don't provide the orchid to the army, we will be fined," the villager added.

The army authorities have warned that the entire village will be fined 50,000 Kyats if the village fails to provide the orchid to the army battalion.

Ko Nyi Nyi Naing from the area said, "Some villages can provide the orchid to the army authorities, but some villages cannot. The villagers who have not provided the orchid to the army are still looking for the flower."

In the border area there are many ethnic people like Arakanese, Chin, Khami, and Mro, who are being used as forced labour by the army authorities to look for the Bulbophyllum Auricomum orchid.

"In our area, forced labour is still continuing despite the government announcement that there has been no forced labour in Burma after 2000. Many villagers have been forced by the army authorities to work in construction of barracks and outposts, transportation of army rations, and ammunition. Moreover, villagers had to provide 5 viss of chickens to nearby army outposts per month without any payment," Ko Nyi Nyi Naing added.