In Namkham Town, northern Shan State, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has warned that residents who do not register with the group will be blocked from passing through TNLA checkpoints.

Since late October, the TNLA has been conducting population and household censuses in several wards of Namkham. This followed a meeting between TNLA immigration officials and ward administrators on October 27 regarding census procedures.

“The TNLA has warned that only registered residents will be allowed to travel freely. If you’re not registered, you won’t be able to pass through their checkpoints. Many people in Namkham commute to work on the Chinese side of the border, passing through two or three TNLA checkpoints between Namkham and Muse. Unregistered residents are worried these checkpoints could prevent them from traveling,” a local resident said.

SHAN reached out to TNLA spokeswoman Lawy Yay Oo for comment but has not yet received a response.

In Namkham, the TNLA charges 10,000 MMK per household for registration and issues two types of identification cards, costing 10,000 MMK and 5,000 MMK. The cards include information in English, Burmese, and Ta’ang (Palaung) languages.

Chinese citizens entering TNLA-controlled areas are also required to obtain temporary residence cards, which must be renewed every three to six months.

“Chinese residents must apply for temporary residence cards, which allow them to travel freely in TNLA-controlled areas. Since this region borders China, many Chinese traders work with the TNLA here,” the resident added.

The TNLA has maintained control of Namkham since December 18, 2023. Since then, it has increased taxes on grocery stores and other businesses and, beginning in May 2025, raised taxes on local vehicle ownership. Most recently, the TNLA introduced registration fees for individuals, adding to residents’ financial burdens.

TNLA-issued registration cards are valid only within TNLA-controlled areas. Residents warned that cardholders risk arrest if found by junta forces in other areas.

“The TNLA recently began enforcing car registration, and now people must register themselves as well. Even in Muse, soldiers and police stop anyone carrying these cards, demand how much they owe the TNLA, and extort that amount before letting them go,” a truck driver operating between Namkham and Muse said.

The TNLA stated that its Immigration Department underwent full reform in 2025 to determine the exact population in controlled areas, monitor the movement of residents, and protect and promote civil rights.

Under Chinese mediation, junta and TNLA delegations met in China on October 27–28 and signed a ceasefire agreement. According to the TNLA’s October 29 statement, the deal stipulates that the TNLA will withdraw from Mongkut (Mogok) Town in Mandalay Region and Mongmit (Momeik) Town in northern Shan State, which it currently controls, for a set period.