HWPL Civilian Peace Agreement Creates an Atmosphere of Peace in Mindanao 24 January 2014 – “Day of Peace” Established by HWPL Mindanao residents asked, “Do you want peace or war?” Cheers sounded when the peace agreement led by Chairman Lee Man-hee was signed A culture of peace is being fostered in Mindanao, Philippines, a land that has been blood-stained by 40-year conflict. The civilian group-led peace agreement that was signed on 24 January 2014 is being implemented and is raising awareness for peace among the residents. This agreement largely contributed to creating an atmosphere of peace for a peace agreement…
Author: Editor
A temporary ceasefire between the military and the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) in Mindat was extended, with expectations that negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire will continue. A CDF representative said the civilian group won’t fight with the military during the 14-day ceasefire but that more discussions are necessary to maintain the fragile peace. Elders and church leaders from Mindat town helped broker the last ceasefire from June 20 to July 4. A few days later, both sides consented to a 5-point agreement. The CDF member told Khonumthung News the military violated it by arresting civilians, which it later freed. The…
In northern Chin State, approximately 60 people have died from COVID-19 from June until July. In Falam Township, 21 died between June 2 to July 6, according to a volunteer. Most were elderly with respiratory problems, heart disease or diabetes. The source said 17 died in Falam town, 3 in Rikhawdar town and a person from Ramtlir village. Of 1027 tests administrated in Falam town, 377 tested positive for the disease on July 6. During the same period, the same numbers of people died from the pathogen in Tongzan Township. According to Dr Thang Shang, director of the health department…
Seventeen people died in 24hrs in Kalay, in western Burma. Health officials confirmed that four of them had COVID-19 while there were thirteen suspected of having the virus. According to a volunteer helping patients in the town located in Sagaing Region, most suffered from other health conditions. Additionally, they are facing a shortage of volunteers to bury everyone. Three were from Tahan ward. The rest are from Chan Myae Aung Si and Aung Zayya ward in Kalay and Sakhangyi village. According to Ko Pwi Yar, head of a COVID-19 treatment centre in a government housing building in Eiksup village, there…
A nineteen-year-old woman died a day after soldiers shot her and a friend when they drove by a government building where the military is staying. Soldiers shot at Ma Nuam Za Thiang and friend Salai Ngun Nei Piang on their motorbike in Kalay, Sagaing Region, at about 9pm on June 23. Salai Ngun Nei Piang died instantly. Ma Nuam Za Thiang was shot in her leg and arrested immediately after the incident. Both of them lived in Falam Township, in Chin State, and came to Kalay to visit Ma Nuam Za Thiang’s mother. On Thursday, locals found Salai Ngun Nei…
Over 42,000 have been displaced in Chin State in the five months since Burma’s military coup happened, according to Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO). The internally displaced persons (IDPs) urgently need humanitarian assistance, CHRO said. “IDPs in Mindat and other areas of Chin State told us they need food…They don’t have medicine too, and there are no medical workers in the camp,” said Salai Van Biak Thang, CHRO’s program coordinator. He explained because it is raining every day it is really hard for IDPs to sleep on the muddy ground with only a plastic sheet. According to CHRO, there are…
The Falam Christian Ministers Fellowship (FCMF) has imposed a ‘stay at home’ order for Falam town to curb infections amid a major COVID-19 outbreak that is overtaking the region. FCMF Chair Rev Daniel Vai Lian Zul explained the lockdown is in effect from June 23-30. “We will observe if we can reduce COVID-19 infections and the death toll in our town before lifting it,” he said. The fellowship instructed residents to stockpile food and other rations while promising to assist those in need. Vai Lian Zul said there are over 70 people infected with the virus at the hospital. He…
Soldiers who pretended to be from a civilian resistance group attacked a home in Sagaing Region, killing four family members and maiming their daughter. According to a man knowledgeable about the incident, soldiers arrived at the house in Inyar Kon ward in Kalay at about 9 pm on June 19. After soldiers threw stones at the house, a man came out and shouted at them. When the father and son tried to escape, soldiers shot them dead. The father’s daughter is in the hospital suffering from eye injuries caused by gunfire. The soldiers killed her mother and cousin during the…
Burma Army offensives against the People’s Defence Force in Mindat town and other villages in Chin State displaced thousands of civilians during the rainy season. Currently, over 8,000 people are living in 18 jungle camps without enough food, medicine and adequate shelter from the rain. Khonumthung News spoke with Catholic Monk Nicholas Ghung Thang Se helping residents of Lukse IDP (internally displaced persons) camp. What is the current situation for the residents at Lukse? A couple of days ago, some IDPs returned to their homes. I think there are about 200 people left in the camp, including all of the…
Ten people died from COVID-19 within 24 hours in Kalay, Sagaing Region. According to the COVID-19 Control and Protection Team for Kalay Township, all were elderly suffering from other high-risk diseases, including diabetes. “We gave them enough oxygen, but they couldn’t resist the disease,” said a person who works for the protection team. Four died in the hospital and six in a quarantine center. On June 17, there were seven cremated and three on June 18. Four are from Tar Han ward, two from Kalay Myo ward, one from Myo Hla ward, one from Pyin Khon Lay village, one from…