Moe Kyaw — Government authorities have declared that parts of Chin State including Htantlang, Ton Zang, and Paletwa townships are to be classified “yellow” areas because of security issues.
During a ceremony held by the Chin State Police in Chin State’s capital Hakha on October 2nd, the chief officer (first class) of the Chin State Police Force Police Lt-Col U Myint Naing, explained to an audience consisting of members of political parties, civic society organizations and the public why this is the case.
The presence of the Chin National Front (CNF) along the Van Zan Ridge and another armed group the Arakan Army (AA) in parts of Paletwa Township were given as reasons why these areas had been labelled so called yellow zones. Furthermore the activities of an unnamed Indian armed group in some rural parts Ton Zang Township was also the reason given that this area near the Indian border had been declared a yellow zone area.
“We don’t need a yellow zone on our land. The important thing is to have a free and fair election. I want the public to vote freely and safely,” said an anonymous official from the CNF, whose group has been in a ceasefire with the central government since 2012. Unlike his group, the AA is not in a ceasefire with the government and clashed with the military in Paletwa earlier this year.
The police official's briefing included a call for cooperation between the CNF liaison offices, the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC), and civil organizations. This would help alleviate any possible election related security issues, he said.
In his presentation the Police Lt-Col explained about the methods for solving the possible election related challenges and details of the police force’s programs.
During his opening speech, State Police Colonel U Myint Lwin, explained about the possible challenges that Chin State residents may face during the election because of the recent natural disaster and these can be solved through cooperation.
The State Election Commission’s chairman U Linn Kyaw talked about the importance of the election in a democratic country and explained the vetting process.
A total of 1,029 special police have been assigned to take up security in all constituencies in the nine townships of the Chin State for the upcoming election and the fire brigades, civil society organizations and the media will give their support.
There are 39 constituencies in Chin State and a total of 209 candidates running in the state. There are lso 202 candidates from 13 political parties and 7 independent candidates running in next month's election
Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff.
