Five political prisoners were released from Kale Prison in Kale (Kalay) Town, Sagaing Region on April 3 after completing their sentences. The freed individuals were identified as Ko Aung Naing Lin, 25; Ko Shaw, 28; Ma Van Swe Deim, 28; Ko Zalate Bwetan Htan, 29; and Ma Tar Chin Hnei, 31. They were each sentenced to five years in prison under Section 505(A) of the Penal Code and Section 52(A) of the Counter-Terrorism Law for participating in anti-junta activities between 2022 and 2023. More than 100 political prisoners remain in Kale Prison, including poet Ko Kye Sin Yaung; Kale General…
Author: Editor
In Kale (Kalay) Town, Sagaing Region, locals reported that junta troops are abducting young men daily under the guise of a conscription drive. On March 28, soldiers abducted 7 young men in front of the Mingyi Hotel on Bogyoke Main Road. Only the father of an infant and one other individual were released after each was forced to pay 4 million MMK for their freedom. On March 31, the junta abducted 3 more young men at the same location. In Kale Town, abductions of young people for conscription are becoming increasingly common, with only a few released after paying ransoms.…
The Chin National Organisation (CNO), the political wing of the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), announced on March 26 that it strongly opposes opium poppy cultivation in Falam Township, Chin State, declaring a ban on such activities and warning of strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for non-compliance. Opium cultivation has been reported in the eastern part of Falam Township and along border areas with India. CNO/CNDF spokesperson Salai Timmy said that enforcement against opium cultivation was not effectively carried out during efforts to seize Falam Town, the township seat, but will now be strengthened in response to public complaints.…
The Chin Defence Force–Matupi (CDF-Matupi) has announced plans to launch a conscription drive in Matupi Township, in southern Chin State. The defence forces under the Chinland Council have begun implementing the conscription policies established by the Government of Chinland, administered by the council, CDF-Matupi announced on March 24. As the conscription drive is set to begin, those wishing to leave its controlled territories will be required to obtain a valid permit issued by it, CDF-Matupi added. CDF-Matupi also urged eligible locals to join its ranks for military service, calling it a fulfillment of their national duty. Khonumthung News attempted to…
Two members of parliament (MPs) appointed by the junta to represent the military in Chin State’s parliament are officers who committed war crimes in Hakha Township, Chin State, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO). The new Chin State parliament, formed following the recent election, began its sessions on March 20 with Colonel Saw Tun and Major Arkar Kyaw Moe attending as MPs. On the same day, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) issued a statement strongly condemning the two officers’ participation. “The reinstatement of military officers accused of torture and crimes against humanity in the Chin State parliament…
Heavy fighting is ongoing between Chin resistance forces and junta troops in Falam Township in northern Chin State, with eight resistance fighters, including a captain, were killed during the second week of March. Byet Hlay Kyone, a member of the Chinland Defence Force–Zophei (CDF-Zophei), was killed in action on March 15 during fierce clashes between Chin resistance forces and junta troops, as the coalition resisted an attempted advance from Kale Town in Sagaing Region toward Falam Town. On the same day, Salai Khin Bway, a CDF-Zotung member, was also killed while resisting a junta offensive along the Kale–Falam Road. Separately,…
To strengthen law enforcement and ensure social stability for local communities, the Lutuv (Lautu) Region People’s Administration (LRPA) announced that all gambling activities have been banned in the Lautu region of Chin State starting March 6. The statement said the order, based on a consensus among members of the Lutuv People’s Affairs Committee (LPAC), prohibits all forms of gambling including playing cards, cockfighting, and digital gambling, throughout the Lautu region. It also prohibits assisting in or providing facilities or accommodation for operating gambling dens. Members of the Chinland Defence Force–Lautu (CDF-Lautu), which is responsible for regional security, and community elders…
Internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Chin State and Sagaing Region face a shortage of medicines. Pregnant women and those with gynecological conditions need essential treatment, and many also lack menstrual products. The findings were included in a report on the situation in Chin State and Sagaing Region in February, released by Women for Justice (WJ) on March 5. In IDP camps in Chin State and Sagaing Region in northwestern Myanmar, toilets are rarely segregated properly by gender. The limited number of toilets and showers also makes women feel unsafe, the report said. In some areas, IDP women face daily…
The resistance-run Thantlang Township Council, organized by the Chinland Defence Force–Thantlang (CDF-Thantlang), announced on March 1 that the capture, killing, and hunting of wildlife and wild birds in Thantlang Township, Chin State, are banned for a certain period, and that effective action will be taken against anyone who violates the ban. The Thantlang Township Council has banned hunting birds and destroying bird nests throughout March, the breeding season for wild birds. April 1 to June 30 has been designated as a wildlife sanctuary period, during which hunting and trapping are prohibited. The Thantlang Township Council said the ban was imposed…
The junta announced it had granted amnesty to over 7,300 people imprisoned under various sections of the Counter-Terrorism Law and had closed more than 9,000 cases involving over 12,000 accused still undergoing trial under the law. On March 2, Peasants’ Day, the junta announced it had granted amnesty to 7,337 men and women serving sentences under Sections 50(J) and 52(A) of the Counter-Terrorism Law and had closed ongoing cases against 12,487 individuals under the same charges. The junta announced the amnesty was granted to restore public calm and demonstrate its commitment to humanity. It also warned that anyone who reoffends…