The agreement between the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and the RakhineState government to set up an ALP office in Paletwa Town, southern Chin state, is being opposed by Local Khumi people and Chin party leaders.
“We could accept it if they were a Chin political party. It is not acceptable for us to allow them to set up their office in Paletwa. It is not their territory. The authorities should have consulted the Chin State government before making a decision on this issue,” a government employee in Paletwa said.
ALP and Rakhine state government delegations made an agreement to set up a liaison office for the ALP in Paletwa, in Chin State and Kyuatdaw, RakhineState, during the first week of April.
“The central authorities ought to have consulted local people about this issue. We are not Arakanese. We cannot accept any other national armed group in our area. The Burmese government should have consulted local Khumi people before signing an agreement,” a village administrator from Paletwa said.
Chin people abroad have been pushing the Chin National Front (CNF), which signed a ceasefire agreement with the government of Chin State recently, to put peace talks on their agenda and demand revoking the decision to open the ALP’s liaison office.
The CNF has been urged to persuade the government to roll back the agreement if they do not drop the agreement for a liaison office in Paletwa.
“Mr. HlaMaungTin, Chief Minister of Rakhine State, visited Paletwa without consulting the Chin State government. So doubts have arisen. I am expressing our party’s stand and will discuss this issue in the party executive committee meeting. There is something wrong between Chin and Rakhine people because the central government allowed the ALP to set up a liaison office in Chin state,” said SalaiCeu Bik Thawng, General Secretary of the Chin National Party (CNP).
“Secondly, I am worried that there will be clashes between Chin and Rakhine people over this issue because it is very sensitive. This problem will not be solved by democratic means and a federal system but will lead to racial problems,” he said.
Dr. No ThanKap, Chairman of the Chin Progressive Party (CPP) and Chin Affairs Minister of Sagaing Division in Burma also told Khonumthung that if the ALP’s liaison office is set up in Paletwa, Chin people will not accept it.
“They (Rakhine) always insisted that Paletwa is included in Rakhine State,” he said.
“ The CCP will discuss this issue with the Rakhine State government and Rakhine National Development party leaders.”
