The Chinland Defence Force (CDF) is trying to deprive the Burma Army (BA) of fuel by stopping trucks before they reach towns in southern Chin State.

“Our aim is to stop the army’s operations in Matupi Township,” a CDF spokesperson from Battalion 2 of its Mindat chapter told Khonumthung News.

The civilian resistance group said trucks carrying 180 fuel barrels to the hill town have been obstructed since 25 November.

“We allow the drivers to sell their fuel to the locals at the current price, but they cannot bring it to Matupi town. Ultimately, we want to prevent fuel from reaching Paletwa town,” the spokesperson said.

CDF has also blocked trucks on the road from Hakha to Matupi to seize other goods meant for the military and sell them to locals.

“After we stopped fuel supplies to Matupi, BA cannot use its vehicles in town,” he said.

The military’s Infantry Battalion 104 stopped 10 trucks carrying basic food items at its compound and warned CDF that it will confiscate all vehicles carrying food if it does not return the fuel. The military released two of the trucks on 2 December.

According to CDF, several BA soldiers were killed on 26 November in fighting in the town, which the military had shelled at night. After over 100 BA soldiers were sent to the district office of the General Administration Development.