The junta’s forces have launched more attacks on Thangtlang in northern Chin State after already destroying hundreds of homes, forcing local residents to flee to other villages along and across the Indian border.
According to the spokesperson for the Chinland Defence Force (CDF), a civilian resistance group that took up arms against the regime in May, the Burma Army destroyed 20 more houses in the town on Thursday 11 November. Most of them were in Seikpyo Yay Ward, but three houses were demolished in Lon Tial, near the army’s camp set up in September.
The town’s 10,000 residents fled when the military destroyed at least 19 houses on 18 September following fighting with CDF. On 29 October, the junta destroyed 164 houses and on 6 November, 7 houses. Further attacks took place from 9 to 10 November.
Of the 1,500 houses in the town, the army has already destroyed over 200 houses.
An activist has been awarded for her work for women’s rights in Chin State.
Mai Len Nei Cer, the director of the women’s organisation NiNu, was awarded the Women of Change Award for 2021 by the U.S. Embassy in Burma.
After eight years with NiNu, ”I feel that my work is appreciated and that makes me very happy. Currently, there are many challenges and this award gives me the strength to continue my work. I will have to work hard to move forward,” she told Khonumthung News.
The award has been given every year since 2017 to women who work for human rights, public health, rule of law, peace, development, disaster management and environmental protection.
“Gender equality is still a big issue in our Chin community. We must try to address this issue. All women must work for gender equality, but men must also support us,” said Mai Len Nei Cer.
In particular, NiNu is advocating for changes to the Chin Act, which discriminates against women. The organisation also provides capacity-building training for Chin women.