Chin resistance forces declare Mindat safe for civilians to return

Two months after driving Myanmar’s military out of the southern Chin State town of Mindat, Chin resistance forces have invited residents to return to rebuild their lives. On Sunday, the Mindat Township People’s Administration Organisation (PAO) issued a statement declaring that the town, with a pre-conflict population of more than 10,000, is now safe enough for civilians to resettle. “They are now able to return and resettle here. We have cleared approximately 95 percent of the mines,” Yaw Marn, a spokesperson for the Mindat Township PAO, told Myanmar Now. Situated between the Chin Hills to the west and Magway Region to the east, Mindat has been a key battleground of the Chin resistance movement since the military seized power in February 2021, forcing most residents to flee for safety. In early November of last year, the Chin Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of local resistance groups, launched attacks on junta forces stationed in the town, including Infantry Battalion 274. The alliance, consisting of six groups allied to the Arakan Army—the Chin National Organisation, the Chin National Council (Mindat), the Zomi Federal Union, the Chin Defence Force-Kanpetlet, the Chinland Defence Force-Matupi (Brigade 1), and the Maraland Territorial Council—captured the town a month later. Although residents are now able to return, they are required to provide receipts showing that they have made a financial contribution to the effort to retake the town, according to an announcement from the Chin Defence Force-Mindat. They may also contribute at a checkpoint near the town entrance and receive receipts, the group said, without specifying the required donation amount. According to Yaw Marn, most residents have already made their contribution to the resistance forces. “About 90-95 percent of Mindat residents supported the efforts to fully capture the town. In some cases, we waived contributions for those facing financial hardship. However, some people, despite being able to contribute, chose not to, treating us as if we were illegitimate or as if our cause didn’t concern them,” the Mindat Township PAO spokesperson said. “We all fought together to liberate our town, and now it’s time to share the benefits equally. Our goal is to allow only those who contribute, like the 90-95 percent of residents who already did, to return to the town,” he added. Some residents have expressed criticism of this restriction. “Every displaced person has the right to return home. It’s unfair to discriminate between those who donated and those who didn’t, and place restrictions on them,” said one man. The Mindat Township PAO has also issued a statement outlining 12 rules for returnees, including a 7pm-6am curfew, a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people during the resettlement period, and restrictions on festivals and other events. Violations of these regulations will result in penalties, the statement warned. Yaw Marn explained that the gathering restrictions are necessary to minimise the risk of airstrikes. He also noted that once the town becomes more populated, there are plans to educate residents on how to build bomb shelters. “Given the town’s considerable size, people will be spread out across different areas, and gatherings will not be held,” he explained. “Regarding the municipal markets, we will no longer allow the entire market to operate in one location as before. Instead, we plan to divide it into three to five areas, each with designated operating times.” Out of the nine townships in Chin State, the Chin Brotherhood Alliance governs Matupi, Mindat, and Kanpetlet, while Paletwa is controlled by their ally, the Arakan Army. The Chinland Council, led by the Chin National Front, administers Tonzang Township, while the junta army remains in control of the state capital Hakha, along with Thantlang, Tedim, and Falam townships.

Chin resistance forces declare Mindat safe for civilians to return

Two months after capturing the town, anti-regime groups have invited residents to begin rebuilding their lives

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