The Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) convened discussions between the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) and the Chin Brotherhood Alliance in Aizawl City, Mizoram State, India, on 21 August 2024.
At the meeting, which took place at the ZORO headquarters near Treasure Square in Aizawl, the two Chin groups, who are allies, discussed the ongoing disputes between Chin resistance forces in Chin State, according to ZORO.
After the 2021 military coup, the Chin National Army (CNA) joined forces with a new armed group called the Chinland Defence Force (CDF). But, leadership disagreements led to the formation of the Chin Brotherhood.
The INCC is a political organisation that was formed after the Myanmar coup, on 13 April 2021. It is recognised by the National Unity Government (NUG). The INCC says that it is: “A political organisation that represents the interests of Chin nationals and was formed in accordance with the federal democracy charter.”
The two groups are ostensibly allies. Recently the Chin Brotherhood together with their Arakan Army (AA) allies have come into conflict with the Chinland Council and the allied Government of Chin State in Chin State.
Notably, fighters from the Chinland Council and the Government of Chin State fought agains the Chinland Brotherhood, supported by the AA, in Matupi Township, Chin State, at the end of June and beginning of July 2024. Eventually the Chinland Council coalition stood down and the Chinland Brotherhood, assisted by the AA, took control of Matupi Township.
According to Frontier, The Chinland Council told local media that the fighting started because it was responding to the Brotherhood’s detention of one of its members who was helping displaced people. The Chin Brotherhood also claimed that at least 10 of its fighters were killed in CNF-led attacks in Matupi Township between 18 June and 9 July.
The ZORO talks are part of a series of talks being mediated by ZORO aimed at de-escalating the conflict between the Chinland Council coalition and the Chin Brotherhood coalition. ZORO is trying to ensure that all Chin forces are united and stand together.
The ZORO Chairman, Pu R. Sangkawia said: "We all need to fully understand and embrace that the Chin people should stand united as brothers, without division or conflicts. We believe that, in time, the mighty Lord will reunite all Chin people, who share the same ancestry. So, rather than fighting each other, stand together. We want to see all Chin people coexist and unite in harmony. This is also ZORO’s stance, which is why we are stepping in as a mediator for reconciliation and peace.”
The former Chin State Chief Minister, U Lian Luai, who leads the ICNCC, welcomed ZORO's intervention into the affairs of Chin resistance groups and said that he wanted ZORO to continue its efforts until there is reconciliation and unity between the Chin resistance groups.
According to a statement from ZORO, talking about the 21 August meeting, Salai Timmy, a leader of the Chin Brotherhood Alliance said: "We hope this meeting marks a first step. Our goal is to build unity among the Chin people. Out of this desire, we’ve held back from retaliating, even against those who attacked us. If we can achieve true unity, we’re ready to dismantle all our organisational structures and positions, if needed. Even if it means starting from scratch, we are willing to do so.”
ZORO also reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the disputes, disagreements, and tensions between the Chinland Council and the Government of Chin State on one side and the ICNCC and the Chin Brotherhood Alliance on the other. It said that it is aiming to organise a peace dialogue between the rival Chin factions when it can.
The Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) is a civil society organisation based in Mizoram State that is actively working to reunite and bring together all the Chin, Lushai, Kuki and Mizo ethnic groups under a single administration after the British colonial government split their lands and spread them across three countries, India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
