Following frequent downtown clashes between the Military Council and the Chin Defense Force - Mindat (CDF-Mindat) in Mindat Township, located in southern Chin State, the Military Council escalated its efforts to make targeted arrests of civilians, locals and CDF members said.
"Frequent fighting is happening in areas near downtown, with recent battles in both the northern and lower parts of Mindat. The exact casualties on both sides are still unknown”, a Mindat resident told Khonumthung News.
As a result of these conflicts in Mindat, the Military Council issued a directive to shut down local schools for a period of 5 days. Although they have since resumed operation, only a limited number of students are currently attending.
The temporarily closed Mindat Hospital has been reopened too, but residents report that the doctor residing in the military compound has not visited patients there for a week.
As confrontations with CDF escalated in Mindat, the Military Council started deliberately firing at nearby residential areas and making arbitrary arrests of local individuals without any apparent reason.
Following the armed clash in Mindat on August 25th and 26th, the Military Council detained six civilians, the majority of whom have subsequently been released.
Ko Yaw Man from the Mindat Township People's Administrative Team stated that CDF cells have reacquired the capability to infiltrate and deploy forces in Mindat, engaging in guerilla warfare-style operations to shift their strategy towards an offensive mode.
"CDF youth are primarily carrying out ambush attacks using guerrilla-style tactics. They target Military Council patrols and seize opportunities to ambush. These youth are also preparing to slowly enter the town and strengthen their position. However, if conflicts arise, there's a risk of the local population becoming trapped and endangered. Therefore, let's call upon the people to remain watchful”, he said.
On August 28, CDF-Mindat declared that they successfully entered downtown Mindat on August 20th and confiscated a vehicle operated by the Military Council.
Following the CDF members' seizure of the vehicle parked at Mindat Hospital, the Military Council issued a temporary closure order for hospitals, schools, and offices. However, these establishments have since resumed operations.
CDF-Mindat is urging the local population to stay vigilant due to increased repression and arrests by the Military Council in Mindat.
