The Chinland Joint Defence Committee (CJDC), formed by Chin resistance groups fighting the military regime, has recognised the Eastern Command of the Zomi Revolution Organisation/Zomi Revolution Army as a terrorist group at its third regular meeting at Camp Victoria, the headquarters of the Chin National Front. Khonumthung News interviewed CJDC spokesperson Paul Lu on the matter.
Can you explain why CJDC issued a statement recognising ZRO/ZRA as a terrorist organisation?
We have concrete evidence the Eastern Command of ZRO/ZRA has abducted and killed our CJDC members and are also collaborating with the Burma Army (BA). They’ve disrupted our movement in Chin State.
What evidence do you have they’re working with the BA?
The media has already reported that we’ve clashed with the ZRO/ZRA. We’ve received information about where they got their assault rifles and ammunition and solid information that they’ve been working with the BA.
Now that you have branded them as a terrorist organisation what happens next?
The CJDC was established by all the Chin resistance groups working together against the military dictatorship. If the ZRO/ZRA (Eastern Command) disrupts our military movement or attacks our affiliates, we’ll solve it through a variety of methods, including military or other ways.
ZRO/ZRA are a Chin ethnic group. Why don’t you solve the problem through dialogue instead of labelling them a terrorist group?
We cannot recognise them as our friends nor colleagues because they’re working with the BA, which is our enemy. We cannot have anything to do with them when they attack us, kidnap our members and disrupt our activities. First of all, they don’t represent the people and the people don’t support them. Secondly, they’ve are collaborating with our enemy.
The BA has increased its military operations against the resistance groups in Chin State and sending more troops in Mindat and Matupi. What’s the current military situation in the state?
They’re sending more troops into northern Chin State from Gangaw in Sagaing Region and dispatching more soldiers to the southern state. We expect for the BA to launch another major military operation against the groups in Chin State before the upcoming rainy season.
