The Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA) has sent a boycott letter against the ‘Religious Conversion Law’ draft to President Thei Sein on 14 June, which is drafted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. In the letter, if the draft has been adopted in Myanmar the unity and sovereignty of Union will be directly affected as the constitution of Myanmar 2008 allows every citizen to have the right to worship, to choose and there is no age limit as in Article (34). Besides, the draft law will be opposed in keeping with International Convention Laws and International Human Rights standards.
Author: Editor
Various church leaders in Hakha town held a prayer meeting to boycott and not to adopt the draft of the ‘Religious Conversion Law’ in Myanmar, drafted by the Ministry of Religious department, at Carson Hall on 16 June. At the meeting, Pastor Bawi Cung Lian said, “This draft can hinder the progress of Christianity. So we held a prayer meet not to adopt the draft and to change the mindset of the concerned authorities and the President.”
The 300 mile stretch of the Hakha-Matupi-Paletwa town connecting main road will be completed within 2015-2016. It is being constructed by the Union government. “About 28 miles of the Matupi to Paletwa main road has been completed for use by bikers and cars,” an Administrator of Phanai village told Khonumthung News.
A soldier, personal no. 371850 under LIB (269) based in Rizua town, Matupi township, Chin state, under the command of Colonel Aung Tu Win, attempted to rape a Chin woman on June 10. A source said that a soldier, Myo Tuya Kyaw, who was inebriated, attempted to rape the woman going for cultivating land. His friend was sleeping.
The Chin state government has given permission to open business offices to the Chin National Front (CNF) in Falam and Mindat towns on 9 June. A report said that CNF has submitted a plan to extend its business office in Falam and Mindat towns on 20 April to the concerned authority and now the government has permitted it.
The Kaladan Movement group has urged the Government of India, Myanmar and India’s ESSAR Company to bring clarity on the Kaladan project for the benefit of the local people. A statement by the group on 11 June pointed out that there is no proper information about the consequences of the Kaladan multipurpose project to respective local people, although the Myanmar and the Indian government have been working on the project for about four years.
The police authorities of Rihkhawdar, Falam sub-township, on the Indo-Myanmar border area arrested two smugglers with No.4 drugs coming from Mizoram, north east state of India. Surprisingly they were released without any action being taken.
A jeep meant for carrying sandalwood met with an accident in the Indo-Myanmar border of Matupi township, Mara area. The owner died on the spot.
The Chin National Democratic Party (CNDP) has selected Pu SiangMang as candidate for the by-election in Hakha township, Chin state, due in December 2014. The selection was made at the CNDP’s conference on June 1 by 160 representatives and Pu SiangMang will replace Pu Ngun Maung, National Parliament member recently appointed as Union Minister by the party.
Local people in Thantlang township are disappointed with the construction of the road between Thantlang and Lunglei by Alpha-Omeca company as the road is not 24 feet wide and it cannot be completed in time. The Hakha post said that although the Union of Myanmar government had announced that the road has to be 24 feet wide and 34 feet wide on the corners and is to be completed by March 2014, the road is only 20 feet wide, 24 feet in the corners.