Chin people demonstrate to end war

13 Jul 2019

Khiang Min Nyo | DMG

13 July, Yangon

Chin people have demanded an end to the war between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Chin State’s Paletwa Township and northern Arakan State in a demonstration staged on 13 July in Yangon. 

Leaders of the protest said that Chin people living in Paletwa Township and Arakan State have faced human rights violations because of the conflicts in the region and 118 schools in Paletwa Township have been shut down currently while the number of teachers for over 90 schools is insufficient for a quality education.

“Students have been forced to flee from the fighting in fear instead of pursuing their dreams. People are the real victims when fighting breaks out in a region. They are fleeing from their homes when they should be home or in school improving the quality of their lives,” said Mai Thin Yu Mon, who participated in the protest. 

She said that at least 10 people were injured and two others were killed by landmines during four years of ongoing combat in Paletwa Township.

The Chin protestors demanded to immediately restore regional stability in Paletwa Township, to enact articles that are included in Chapter 8 (c) of the union level agreement inked between the government and the Chin National Front and to release Chin people taken by the AA without delay. 

They also call for a cease-fire across Myanmar including in Paletwa Township, for all parties to engage in political dialogues and for providing humanitarian assistance for war refugees as quickly as possible. 

Moreover, about 30 Chin CSOs both locally and abroad have released an eight-point statement in which they requested the Chin State government to draw up a special plan to rehabilitate conflict-ridden Paletwa Township and to work in conjunction with the regional government, Chin political parties, the Chin National Front and Chin CSOs.

They also demanded the minister for Chin Affairs from Arakan State government to immediately help local Chin war refugees in Arakan State to ensure their safety and receive sufficient humanitarian assistance.

The ongoing armed conflict between the Tatmadaw and the AA has now resulted over 4000 IDPs in Paletwa Township, Chin State and over 50,000 IDPs in northern Arakan State.