22 April 2010: Four persons dispatched by the Chin National Confederation (CNC), an armed group, to extort money from villagers in Falam Township, were detained by military junta officials in the third week of April in Chin state, western Burma.

“Those sent to collect the money sent letters to villagers of Rihkhawdar sub-town demanding Kyat 5000 from each household. But Burmese Army authorities seem to have been tipped off and they arrested three men and a woman,” said a local in Rihkhawdar.

Now the soldiers are searching for the two leaders, who sent the four. Meanwhile, the local people reported about the money collection drive to the Chin National Army (CNA), which is also investigating.

“We received reports about money being taken from villagers and we told them not to pay up. Now we are investigating the two leaders who sent the four persons to collect money from the villagers in Rihkhawdar sub-town in Falam Township,” said Mr. Biaklian, Northern Divisional Colonel of CNA.

Chin National Confederation (CNC) was set up in 2004 and is led by Mr. Tialkhal. Some of the leaders were arrested and assassinated by the Burmese military junta.