The Zoland People’s Defence Force (PDF), which is fighting against the military regime, has accused the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) of stealing the group’s weapons and other military equipment.

In a statement on 17 October, the PDF demanded that the group return the items, which were bought with donations from the “people”.

The ZRA reportedly beat up and abducted two youths who were carrying the weapons on the Mansuang Bridge on 14 October. The next day, the soldiers arrived at Hsai Zan, where they interrogated residents of the village.

The PDF had asked ZRA by phone to return the stolen items before they went to the village, which the ZRA refused to do.

However, the soldiers left their motorbikes in Hsai Zan when they left, and the Tedim Public Administration confiscated them.

The Zomi soldiers reportedly arrived in Hsai Mawl on 17 October and travelled by lorry to Tedim, where the Burma Army’s camp (BA) is located.

If the ZRA refuse to return the allegedly stolen items, the PDF said in the statement it considers them “thugs of the Burma Army” and will take action, without elaborating on what this would mean.

It also said it won’t protect citizens who support the ZRA.