The People’s Defence Army-Tedim (PDA-Tedim), named after Tedim township where it operates in Chin State, is the latest group to join the Chinland Council.
The council was formed late last year with resistance forces fighting against the Military Council and 27 former National League for Democracy parliamentarians who weren’t arrested during the 2021 coup.
The council formed the Chinland Government with 14 ministries on February 1.
Under the leadership of the Chinland Government, PDA-Tedim joined the recent military operation with the Chin National Front and Chinland Defence Forces to seize Cikha and Tonzang towns from the regime in northern Chin State near the Indian border.
PDA-Tedim became an observer member as soon as the Chinland Council was formed on December 6, and on June 1 its membership became formalised.
In a statement, the armed group said its policy was synonymous with the council whose stated goals are to unify the different Chins in the state in opposition against the regime that has been on the back foot since last year.
The council says it wants national equality and to establish a federal democratic union.
PDA-Tedim leaders vowed to continue their military operations with the council to oust the military regime.
The armed group was established on May 17, 2021 to fight the Burma army. It has also assumed a role fighting crime, which includes targeting the illicit drug trade in the Tedim area.