The government of Chin State agreed to open offices in Matupi, Than Tlang and Teddim, after completing negotiations last month.

Signatures from the public are being collected to oppose the move by some local youth groups, according to a local youth leader.

“We do not dislike CNF members but some its party members have been unruly.  So, the local people think that there will be more trouble them if the organization sets up an office,” said a youth leader.

The signatures were being collected in Teddim, Ton Zang, in Chin State, Kalemyo , in Sagaing Division,  as well as Rangoon, the former capital of Burma, where Zomi people LIVE.

The Zogam Post reported that the statement with signatures will be posted on a website for Zomi people to sign from abroad.

Collection of the signatures was completed IN around 50 villages in Teddim Township. The signatures will be submitted next month to President Thein Sein, and Mr. Hung Ngai, Chief Minister of Chin State.

“I got the information from Voice of Zomi. It said so many people have been affected in the revolution period. The military government arrested many innocent people and put them in jail on long term sentences. Some local people were tortured and killed in the state. It happed in various places,” Mr. Paul Sitha, Joint Secretary General (1) of the CNF, said in a recent interview with Khonumthung.
He added that The CNF collected taxes from Chin people from 1990 until 2008.

“We did not exclude any place or area or township. Teddim and Ton Zang people should look at national unity. Negotiations should be across the table to solve a problem instead of going for confrontation,” Mr. Sitha said.

The Chin State government will meet the CNF peace delegation after the opening of the liaison offices. The CNF also agreed to cooperate in eradicating illegal poppy cultivation, drug trafficking and drug smuggling in northern Chin State.