After two Chin resistance forces announced plans to launch separate operations to capture Tedim Town in Tedim Township, Chin State, around 60 percent of the town’s population was preemptively evacuated, according to town residents and resistance groups.
Residents of Skawlam Ward, home to the junta’s Infantry Battalion 269 (IB 269) base in Tedim Town, along with those living along the town’s main road, began evacuating two weeks ago, leaving only around 40 percent of the town’s total population remaining.
“As of yesterday, most of the town’s residents had already evacuated. Nearly all of those living in Skawlam Ward and around the army base had fled in advance. However, some people remain in the town, particularly in areas farther from the main road,” a Tedim Town resident said on January 16.
In Tedim Town, around 40 percent of the population, including young and middle-aged individuals, have stayed in their homes to guard against thieves and looters targeting the many vacant houses. According to a spokesperson for the People’s Defence Force – Zoland (PDF-Zoland) and some locals, all of them are preparing to evacuate as soon as the clashes begin.
Most of the displaced residents of Tedim Town have sought refuge in border areas with India, Kale (Kalay) Township in Sagaing Region, and rural areas of Chin State.
“Around 40 percent of the town’s population is remaining in Tedim. They have not left yet due to the rampant thefts. However, they plan to evacuate as soon as clashes begin,” PDF-Zoland’s spokesperson said.
So far, there has been no fighting in downtown Tedim, with the town-based junta battalion firing only warning shots at night.
The spokesperson for PDF-Zoland also promised to provide further updates to the public regarding the battle plans to take over the town.
The People’s Defense Army-Tedim (PDA-Tedim), a Chin resistance faction and member organization of the Chinland Council, announced on January 14 that it and its allies will launch an operation to seize Tedim and Khaikam towns in Chin State, urging locals to take necessary precautions in advance.
On the other hand, the PDF-Zoland/Zomi Federal Union (ZFU), member of both the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) and the Chin Brotherhood (CB) Alliance, have issued an ultimatum, warning that it will attack the junta and other Chin resistance factions, including the PDA-Tedim and the Chin National Front (CNF), if they invade Tedim Township without adhering its restrictions.
In Tedim Township, Chin tribes such as Saing Zan, Tay-Zan, Thado, Khonum, Siyin, Haulngo, Ngorn, Zou, and Dim live in distinct groups, each in their own areas. Collectively, they are referred to as the Zomi Chin people, or the Tedim Chin people.
Chin armed organizations operating in Tedim Township include resistance groups such as PDA-Tedim, PDF-Zoland, Chinland Defence Force – Civic Defense Militia Siyin (CDF-CDM Siyin), and Hualngoram-CDF, which are fighting against the junta. Additionally, the Zomi Revolutionary Army – Eastern Command (ZRA-EC) is present but has refrained from attacking the junta.
PDA-Tedim, CDF-CDM Siyin, and Hualngoram-CDF are Chin resistance factions operating under the umbrella of the Chinland Council and the Government of Chinland. PDF-Zoland, on the other hand, has both military and political cooperation with the CB Alliance and the ICNCC.