The State Administration Council (SAC) detained 60 civilians in Mindat last month. Out of these, 10 people remain behind bars, as reported by the local branch of the Chinland Defense Force (CDF), which has been attacking SAC troops in the general vicinity of the town.
The individuals who haven’t been released are from the town’s Bawa Thit, Ashay Pyin, and Anuk Pyin wards.
Due to the lack of basic services and security in the town, many people are likely to leave soon, an anonymous resident said, pointing out that water and electricity have been cut off.
“SAC has treated civilians as their enemy, but they should be treating them well…I think if all of the civilians leave the town, the Burma army and resistance groups are going to play in Mindat town,” he said, suggesting there will be another significant battle for control of the area.
Some people have already left for other regions, or they’re hiding in the countryside while some townsfolk are staying in churches and monasteries in Mindat.
According to the CDF, they clashed with the Burma army at four different locations in Mindat last month, killing at least four enemy soldiers and wounding nine.
Locals mentioned that the CDF attacked a checkpoint at the town’s entrance, resulting in the death of a police sergeant and injuries to three other policemen on 24 September. Last month, one resistance fighter was also gunned down, and another was injured.
SAC troops shelled a village-tract in the township sharing the same name as the town on 29 September, injuring a 17-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy.