On August 21, 2021, an international peace organization Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) held HWPL Religious Peace Camp with 44 religious leaders and youths from 9 countries. The event was aimed at promoting dialogue and cultural exchanges among religions, ethnics and ideologies as well as improving awareness of minority religious discrimination and peaceful coexistence. According to the Pew Research Center’s 2020 report, persecution against minority religions happened in more than 90 percent of countries. Leading media outlets including the New York Times reported related cases like India’s Hindu nationalist ruling party abused voters’ faith to instigate confrontation…
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The Mizoram government has taken in nearly 200 displaced Chin students from Burma to study in schools in the northeastern Indian state. As reported by Zonet news agency the government has allowed the resumption of classes following a decrease of COVID-19. They’ve admitted 178 children who fled with their families from fighting between the military and civilian resistance groups in Chin State. ”Everyone has the right to education,” said Pu Laltanpuia, from the Champhai District Education Department, explaining that the government is providing free books for refugees. According to Pu M.C Lalramenga, chair of the Young Mizo Association, there are…
Tatmadaw soldiers destroyed homes in a village in northern Chin State, Falam Township, killing livestock and ripping up religious books in the church where they stayed for five days. “We were very sad when we found out they destroyed our village,” said a resident from Taal. He told Khonumthung News that everyone fled when they heard gunfire. Some people have taken refuge in Falam town while others are hiding in the jungle. The soldiers ate 7 pigs and about 100 of the chickens in the village, which is about 22 km from Falam. The man explained that it was the…
The Chin National Front (CNF) spokesperson criticized the State Administration Council decision to call itself a ‘caretaker government’, saying it is still the same military regime that wrested power from the democratically elected government. “We expect nothing from it. It is the same people and the same policies. The military council wants the international community and neighboring countries to recognize it as a legal government, so it is doing exactly what General Ne Win did,” Salai Htet Ni said. In 1958, the former military chief overthrew the U Nu government and called his regime a caretaker government. Salai Htet Ni…
A military unit opened fire on civilians in the town of Kanpetlet without provocation, arresting two people in the town in southern Chin State. On August 14, a day earlier, the Burma Army (BA) had arrested 10 people. A man from the town told Khonumthung News that the two people were arrested while riding their motorcycle and are being held at the police station. “I do not know why the armed forces are arresting people. The soldiers are grabbing people off the street without having any reason.” Soldiers raided the house of a disabled man in Anauk district of Kanpetlet,…
For the second time, a United Nations agency distributed humanitarian aid exclusively to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the town of Mindat, which is under the control of the military regime in southern Chin State, rather than to the majority of those in need of aid who live in remote locations in Mindat Township. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was not allowed to help up to 30,000 IDPs living in 12 camps outside Midat town. Since the Burma Army (BA) took over the mountain town from Chinland Defence Force (CDF) in May, it has targeted groups and individuals trying…
On July 30, The ‘HWPL Peace Advocates Workshop’ was held online in Sudan, which had significance for gathering local leaders from disputed regions to set the stage for dialogue under two themes: “Discussion on how to resolve disputes and how to build peace in Darfur.” The event was participated by a total of sixteen leaders of local tribes, civic groups, and youth organizations that lead the development of communities including Adam Salih Mohammed Atim, leader of Fur tribe, and Mohammed Aboshama Shata, leader of Arab tribe. Attendees suggested the following as resolution of conflicts and peacebuilding: trial for perpetrators of…
Several Burma Army (BA) soldiers died after a civilian resistance group ambushed its military column in Sagaing Region on Thursday, August 12. According to the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Kalay, the group attacked the column, which was traveling from Pan Moon Chaung to Nat Chaung villages south of the township, with fighting beginning at 2:30 pm and lasting until 8 pm. “We killed at least 3 BA soldiers and one PDF fighter was slightly injured,” a PDF officer told Khonumthung News. The military has remained at Nat Chaung. The PDF warned civilians to proceed with caution if they have…
The Burma Army (BA) killed a woman outside of her village in Falam Township, under attack since the night before. According to a male resident, BA soldiers shot Pi Ngeik Tling, 60, on August 10 as she tried to leave Lon Pee, located about 9 kilometers from Falam town. “She died a few minutes after arriving at Falam Hospital,” he said. Pi Ngeik Tling’s husband is the pastor for AG Church. According to Chin National Organisation (CNO), on the same day, soldiers shot a pregnant woman in her thigh who was returning from Talan Yaw Yang village and arrested the…
Over one thousand people affected by fighting in Kanpetlet Township, southern Chin State are facing food shortages, according to a volunteer, who said locals are sharing their food with them. After the military started controlling rice shipments to the township, a bag of rice has risen to 100,000 kyats ($60). The volunteer said the military is blocking the Kyin Twe road, and transportation is also hindered by rainy conditions. On July 27, residents from 10 villages fled fighting between Burma Army (BA) and Chinland Defense Force (CDF) from Mindat and Kanpetlet. With the help of religious leaders and elders, they…