Locals in Chin State’s Tedim Township informed Burma’s Vice President Henry Van Thio of six primary demands from residents of the area during his visit last week.
During a meeting at an area high school on August 12, Tedim elders spoke with the vice president about changes demanded by locals, representatives from the Zomi Youth Association told Khonumthung News.
They asked that Tedim be promoted from a township to a district and that the area get connected to the national power grid, as well as better water distribution to Tedim town. They also said the area needed a 200-bed hospital and a city hall and asked for the technical school to be upgraded to a technical institute.
The Zomi Youth Association’s Nang No said that Vice President Henry Van Thio responded by pointing to deficits in national funding due to extra demands during the COVID-19 period.
“We cannot get all of these demands at the moment. The government will not provide financial assistance during the COVID-19 period. They will provide it later,” Nang No explained.
Plans for expansion of the national electricity grid are from Gant Gaw to Kalay, and then to Tedim, Rih, Kyi Hka and Tonzang, he said.
“Electricity will not immediately arrive in Tedim. It will come later,” Nang No said. “Regarding the district issue, the proposal has already arrived at the President’s Office. We are waiting for the President’s directive. They will send it to the Chin State government regarding the promotion of Tedim Township to District.”
There were no answers regarding the technical school, water distribution and hospital, according to the Zomi Youth representative. They remain dependent on financial assistance from the government.
The Vice President reportedly asked people to “be patient” regarding these demands.
Vice President Henry Van Thio’s visit to Chin State lasted five days, and largely centered on conducting observational visits to regional development projects. Accompanying the vice president were education minister Dr. Myo Thein Gyi, immigration minister Thein Swe, and directors general of various government departments.