The State Administration Council (SAC) has spread rumours that it has seized control of Thangtlang from the Chin National Army (CNA) in northern Chin State.
However, Salai Htet Ni, the spokesperson for the CNA and its political wing, the Chin National Front (CNF), said it wasn’t true, pointing out how there hasn’t been any fighting in the town for weeks.
“Although both our troops and Burma army soldiers are facing off in Thangtlang, there have been no clashes for 2-3 weeks,” he said. The armies have each taken up to four positions in the town.
According to SAC’s propaganda, its soldiers have purportedly completely seized Thangtlang on the ‘Thidingyut full moon’ on October 30 after a 90-day counter-terrorism operation.
The regime claims its soldiers first took control of the bridge on the Timit River, located about four miles from Hakha, the capital of Chin State.
After the area between the river and the entrance to Thangtlang was recovered, the soldiers allegedly seized the construction department building and CB bank, and then the town’s hospital and high school.
“People are aware of the actions the regime has taken in Thangtlang. They do not believe SAC and why it is spreading this propaganda,” the CNF/CNA spokesperson said, urging the public to continue supporting the revolution until it succeeds.
According to the Chin Human Rights Organisation, troops from SAC have burned down over 2,000 homes and churches in Thangtlang, and over 60,000 residents of the town have been displaced, with most fleeing across the Indian border.
The CNF/CNA’s headquarters at Camp Victoria is located in Thangtlang Township.