Chin National Front (CNF) said in a statement on 7 April that the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) must be held accountable for the burning of the entire Nakzang village in Tonzang Township, Chin State.
On 3 April, the ZRA launched an attack on the joint forces of the Chinland Council in Tonzang Township. According to local residents, more than 80 houses in Nakzang village were burned down as the ZRA retreated following intense fighting.
CNF spokesperson Salai Htet Ni stated, “The primary responsibility for the damage, as well as the loss of life and property, rests with the Zomi Revolutionary Organization/Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRO/ZRA). I want to emphasize that they are responsible for the hardships caused by the burning of homes and property, instead of resolving the issue militarily by both sides during this Spring Revolution.”
Residents of Nakzang village, whose homes were destroyed in the fire, have sought refuge in Tongzan town. They are reportedly in urgent need of shelter and basic food supplies.
Nakzang village is reported to be the hometown of Pu Htan Sween Mun, who who serves as both a member of the Chinland Council and the military chief of the CDF – Tongzan.
Pu Htan Sween Mun from CDF – Tongzan said, “It is my native village. The ZRA was so enraged that they burned it down. Currently, we are reinforcing our arms and ammunition due to the threats from the ZRA and the military council. We are unable to provide any assistance at the moment. However, we can begin rehabilitation if we receive support from both local and foreign aid. We apologize to the public, as it is not easy for us to carry out rehabilitation efforts on our own at this time.”
In the aftermath of the nationwide earthquake, humanitarian assistance is urgently needed. The CNF stated that it will respond as necessary and will not accept or tolerate any deliberate attacks on the joint force of Chinland Council or civilians, especially those taking advantage of the unilateral ceasefire that has been in effect since 28 March.
Salai Htet Ni said, “They are conducting military offensives against us. That’s why we will respond from all sides. We will not tolerate any harm to the public, especially those collaborating with the military council. We will stand with the people and respond from all sides, as much as we can.”
The statement noted that the ZRA has been carrying out frequent attacks on local defense forces and civilians in northern Chin State during the Spring Revolution.
The CNF stated that since 2010, the ZRA has systematically been involved in opium production and trafficking, forcing local residents in Tedim and Tonzang Townships to cultivate vast acres of opium.
In a statement on 5 April, the Zomi Political Coordination Committee, a political organization of the ZRA-(Eastern Command), made a counter-allegation, claiming that the joint force of Chinland Council had burned down approximately 70 houses in Nakzang village.
Khonumthung Media Group (KMG) reached out to the Zomi Political Coordination Committee for comment on the attack on Tonzang town and the burning of Nakzang village, but the committee has not yet provided a response.
CNF spokesperson Salai Htet Ni stated that all local residents are aware that the burning of Nakzang village was carried out by the ZRA. He further emphasized that people can directly contact the local villagers for confirmation, adding that the arson and destruction by the ZRA-EC is an undeniable fact.