Mindat residents and local resistance forces have reported that the Military Council has issued a directive leading to the shutdown of hospitals, schools, offices, and administrative departments in the central district of Chin State's Mindat, leaving these facilities incapacitated.
The Military Council issued a mandate for the closure of all schools, hospitals, and offices in Mindat, starting from August 21st.
"Since August 21st, hospitals and schools have been closed, preventing children from attending school. As of now, they remain closed, with no known reopening date”, a Midat resident told Khonumthung News.
At present, there is no ongoing conflict in Mindat's urban or suburban regions. The Military Council, however, has closed vital educational, administrative, and healthcare facilities. This has resulted in challenges for patients and expectant mothers. In the town, stores and tea shops continue to operate on a regular basis, and the town's residents are maintaining their usual level of mobility.
"When the hospital closed suddenly, there were patients who were about to give birth. Families found it really tough not being able to visit and bring them back home swiftly. The Military Council couldn't even organize a vehicle for the patients”, a local said.
Earlier, due to ongoing battles and military conflicts in the area, many offices under the Military Council in Mindat couldn't function. The Education, Health, Forestry, and Communications offices were the only exceptions, but even they were suspended starting from August 21st.
Administrative offices under Military Council blame Chin Defense Forces for the failure of offices.
Ko Yaw Man is one of the officials of the Mindat Township People's Administration office.
"The Military Council directed the shutdown of all facilities in the downtown region. Recently, young members of the CDF (China Defense Force) visited and brought one of the three hospital ambulances, asserting it was public property. It seems the Military Council was angered by the fact that the resistance forces managed to take a vehicle from downtown. This could be a reason why schools and offices were closed. The troops have withdrawn from these areas, suggesting they might no longer guarantee security there”, said Ko Yaw Man.
The specific cause behind the Military Council's decision to close downtown hospitals and schools remains undisclosed. Nonetheless, there is public concern that this action might lead to subsequent outbreaks of violent conflict.Top of Form
While the precise motive behind the Military Council's directive to close downtown hospitals and schools is undisclosed, the public is concerned that this action could indicate the likelihood of significant upcoming conflict.
On July 30th, near the Ashaypyin ward in Mindat, resistance fighters from CDF-Mindat executed a close-range ambush on a Military Council patrol vehicle near the Forestry Office, resulting in the deaths of 7 Military Council troops and injuries to several individuals, including the district commander.
