Tedim has witnessed further destruction as Military Council soldiers continued their attacks on people’s homes after the Chin Brotherhoods Alliance, a coalition of resistance forces, launched a full-scale offensive to remove the regime soldiers from the town in northern Chin State.
Following an exchange of fire between the Chin fighters and Burma army troops on the evening of June 1, junta soldiers set fire to homes in Lwi Bua Ward and near the hospital around 9 pm.
A witness said, “We saw smoke billowing from a distance. The extent of the damage is unclear, and we are afraid to return to the town.”
Chin resistance fighters initiated attacks on Military Council camps on the evening of May 26.
They seized control of what locals refer to as the ‘microwave camp’ due to its proximity to a telecommunications tower in the town. Additionally, they captured the Tedim Township Progress of Border Areas and National Races Development Department office, taking nine prisoners of war.
In retaliation, on the next day, regime soldiers targeted civilians, torching over 30 homes near the clock tower in Myoma Ward.
The General Administration Development office, which is a government building, was also destroyed in the blaze. Fortunately, it rained and stopped the fire from engulfing the entire area
The escalating violence has forced almost the entire population of Tedim town to seek refuge in Kale town of Sagaing Region and remote villages. Reports emerged of looting incidents, such as the raid on Manipur Grocery Shop in the town on May 30, after most residents had fled.
In response, the People’s Administration for Tedim Township issued a warning, promising to take action against anyone found stealing from people’s homes and shops.