Chin organizations call for immediate cease fire

28 Jun 2019

Khaing Roe La | DMG

29 June, Sittwe

More than 20 Chin organizations have called for an immediate stop to hostilities between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Arakan and Chin States and urge respective organizations to seek a solution by negotiating and reaching mutual agreements. 

Salai Htan Naing from Chin IDP Affairs Action Group told the DMG that they demanded to resolve the conflict with talks instead of fighting because Chin people from Paletwa Township in Chin State and Minbya Township in Arakan State have been forced from their homes, people have also encountered human rights abuses and lack education due to the battles.

“Our people have suffered from human rights violations. Students cannot go to school. If both sides stop their fighting and engage in productive and agreeable discourse that leads to peace, our people can live without hardship. That’s why we call for cease fire,” he said.

He added that the Tatmadaw, the AA and the government are responsible for ending their hostilities.

After hosting a press conference in Yangon on 27 June, the group demanded opposing sides not to instigate new attacks that could harm regional stability and development in Paletwa Township. They also suggested to halt the war in the region and to stop violating human rights against Chin civilians.

The group has arranged to demonstrate for the affairs of Chin IDPs on 13 July.

The number of IDPs in Paletwa Township of Chin State following the battles occurred in 2015 is over 4,000 now while the number of IDPs in Arakan State due to skirmishes started since early December has reached nearly 50,000 so far.