While the Indian government is facilitating passage through Chin State to provide aid to earthquake-affected people in Myanmar, the Zomi Revolutionary Army – Eastern Command (ZRA-EC) has launched a sudden offensive on Tonzang town with a large force, leading to intense fighting in four areas within the town.
Tonzang, a town under the control of joint Chinland Government forces and where administrative mechanisms are being implemented, came under attack on the early morning of 3 April. The ZRA-EC forces, advancing with substantial numbers from the direction of India’s Manipur State through Cikha town, initiated the assault, according to local residents.
Salai Htet Ni, spokesperson for the joint Chinland Council forces, said: “The fighting remains intense. They’re trying to retake Tonzang town, which is why they’ve entered it. Recently, due to the earthquake, we decided to halt fighting with the military junta. But they’ve taken advantage of this moment and started attacking us.”
As of 4 April, the ZRA-EC forces have been using drones provided by the military junta to attack during the clashes in Tonzang town. The joint Chin forces managed to shoot down three drones recently, and the ZRA-EC is reportedly using weapons and ammunition supplied by the junta, Salai Htet Ni said.
“When the Indian government offered to provide support to the people affected by the earthquake on the mainland, we permitted it without hesitation. We even issued a statement to ensure there would be no fighting. But they saw our military preparedness as weakened, took advantage of the situation, and launched a unilateral attack on us.”
There have been no reports of casualties on the side of the joint Chin forces during the clashes, and the extent of casualties on the ZRA-EC side remains unknown, Salai Htet Ni added.
The ZRA-EC, based in Manipur State, has launched this large-scale offensive to seize Tonzang town, sources confirmed.
This attack coincides with a period when the Indian government, in coordination with the Chinland Government, is smoothly facilitating the use of the India-Myanmar trade route through Chin State to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar’s earthquake-affected population.
Salai Htet Ni condemned the attack, stating: “At a time when people are dying due to the earthquake and losing their homes and possessions, and while one side is trying to provide support, carrying out such acts of violence without considering the hardships faced by the public is completely unacceptable. This is nothing short of terrorism, and we’ll do everything we can to fight back in self-defense.”
The Chin National Army’s Brigade-4 also announced on 3 April that, in self-defense, it would take action to counter the military junta and its affiliated ZRA forces.
Due to the earthquake, the National Unity Government (NUG) battalions, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA) have also declared a temporary ceasefire.
Although the military junta has similarly announced a temporary ceasefire, it continues to carry out airstrikes and ground offensives in some regions.