While one Chin youth was released from a military detention camp in Thantlang Township last week, at least nine others are believed to still be in custody in Matupi, Falam, and Hakha townships in Chin State.
Soldiers arrested Salai Cung Bwi Lian in Thantlang at night on March 10. He was freed on the evening of March 11, according to local sources.
“Soldiers suspected him of bringing a policeman who had joined the Civil Disobedience Movement from Thantlang to Hakha on his motorbike. He was detained in a military camp,” another Thantlang youth told Khonumthung News.
Once Salai Cung Bwi Lian was taken into state custody, young people from Thantlang coordinated and called various officials asking that they treat the young man humanely and not beat him during their interrogation.
Soldiers also arrested four youth, including a pastor, in Matupi town on the night of March 10. They remain in military custody.
Family members, town elders and other pastors have signed a pledge at the military camp that the detainees would not participate in any resistance activities in exchange for their release.
“The parents didn’t complain. They had to sign the pledge that these people would not join protests in the future,” a Matupi local told Khonumthung News.
He said that a military officer had promised that the detained would be released on Thursday, but at the time of reporting, they remained in detention.
The four youth arrested in Matupi were taken away by soldiers while running errands for their families. While the pastor and engineer were reportedly not beaten by soldiers, the other two individuals were kicked by the troops for resisting arrest.