Armed forces arrested a youth in Falam during a surprise visit to his family’s household in northwestern Burma. According to a local man knowledgeable about the incident, authorities arrested Salai Cung Lian Mang, 24, after finding evidence that he participated in protests against the military regime. They found a helmet, shield and allegedly 40 bullet casings in his home in Cin Murl Ward. At the time of press, it is unclear if police will charge Salai Cung Lian Mang or release him. On February 28, armed forces arrested three youths in Falam after attacking a peaceful demonstration.
Author: Editor
Prominent Chin organizations against the military regime in Burma and abroad established a new council to protect the welfare and interests of Chin nationalities. According to a statement from the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC), it will oppose the dictatorship until it is dismantled and work towards building a federal democracy to provide equality and self-determination for ethnic nationalities. Chin National Front, Committee Representing Chin Hluttaw (state parliament), Civil Disobedience Movement Supporting Team and several political parties joined the council that officially launched on April 13, according to member Ko Pa Than. ICNCC will cooperate with other stakeholders across…
Over two hundred people fled to India after armed forces began a bestial crackdown, arresting every adult male they can find in Tamu and raiding homes after many soldiers and residents were killed during civil violence against the military regime. Terrified residents told Khonumthung News armed forces shot a six-year-old on April 13 and tied a youth to a light post. “Security forces raided the Tamu market and suspected homes while arresting and beating people,” said a resident from the border town located in Sagaing Region. Soldiers raided the Grace Public Hospital, beating up nurses and other staff. They also…
Soldiers shot and killed a couple on their motorbike selling milk in a town on the Burma-India border. A local man knowledgeable about the incident told Khonumthung News the husband and wife were killed near the Per Hel Bridge connecting Namhpalon with Tamu, in Sagaing District, at about 11 am on April 13. Kishan Goutam and Harimaya Goutam are from the Burmese Gurkha community. They live in Myoma Ward-2. According to other news sources, their bodies were left in a ditch until being sent to a hospital morgue by a relief group. The couple has one daughter and two sons.…
Thirteen soldiers were killed after a civilian threw a grenade at a temporary military encampment in the Naga Church in Sagaing Region this Sunday, April 11. Two civilians in Tamu died during the firefight between soldiers with automatic weapons and locals armed with Tu Mee rifles (traditional hunting rifles). The rifles fire small iron balls and must be reloaded after each shot. A home burned to the ground during the violence in the border town near India. In Kalay, authorities informed Biak Lawm Cuang’s family to retrieve his body from the military hospital. The twenty-six-year-old, who is the father of…
Armed forces arrested about eleven university students in western Chin State, suspected of participating in protests against the military regime. Authorities detained the students in Matupi town, located in the township of the same name, from April 7-8. Their computers, phones and some documents were seized. According to a youth knowledgeable about the situation, armed forces arrested the students after raiding two homes. It is believed the second home was targeted after an informer told authorities where the students were hiding. Khonumthung News learned that Salai Timothy, Salai Titus, Salai John Ahta and Salai Naung Naung and Tun Lin Oo,…
Strong winds damaged the roofs of about four hundred huts for civilians displaced by conflict in southern Chin State. Awng Lorha, General Administration Development officer for Paletwa Township, told Khonumthung News that residents could repair much of the damage themselves. “They lost some galvanized iron sheets, but their huts were not totally damaged.” A resident of Paletwa explained they patched the roofs with thin bamboo strips. According to Awng Lorha, the storm on the evening of April 4 mainly damaged huts located on the football grounds, the Agriculture Department property and Withutaryon Buddhist Monastery. Homes in Myoma and Yeikhka wards…
Four Burma Army soldiers died and several others suffered injuries during a firefight with locals in Burma’s Sagaing Region on Sunday, April 4. Gun battles with residents from Tamu town armed with homemade hunting rifles have broken out for several days, with causalities on both sides. A resident from the town located next to the Indian border told Khonumthung News that no civilians got hurt during the violence on Sunday, which lasted from 3pm to 6pm. He said a military vehicle was damaged. Although the man wasn’t sure if fighting continued on Monday, he heard that soldiers were patrolling the…
By Benezer – With no indication resistance against the military regime is slowing down, the numbers of civilians arrested by the State Administration Council in Chin State keeps rising. Since the coup happened two months ago, the junta’s armed forces detained at least 171 people in the western state, according to Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO). Authorities released 112 people, but 59 remain in custody. Among these, 11 are charged with violating Article 505/a of Burma’s Penal Code, and 48 are waiting for court arraignments. There were 9 members of the former Chin State government arrested, 25 people from the Election…
Security forces arrested four members of the Thangtlang Youth Association in a private home in Thangtlang town, Chin state, on March 27. Authorities released Ngun Thawng Lian and Pu Tial Cung the following day. They charged Pu Tial Ceu, who owns the home, and his son Salai Van Hmun Sang for violating Article 505/a of Burma’s Penal Code. In February, the regime amended the law to prosecute the Civil Disobedience Movement. Recently, security forces also arrested six youths at a protest in Chin State capital, Hakha.