Multiple Chin organizations have strongly opposed the Arakan Army’s (AA) move to upgrade Paletwa Township in southern Chin State to district status under its administration.
The rejection follows a statement by AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha during the 10th press conference of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government on 11 August. He said the AA planned the upgrade after capturing Paletwa from the junta during Operation 1027, describing it as the first liberated area on the western front. He added that the administration was handling stability, rule of law, development, healthcare, education, and public services.
“During this revolutionary period, just because they (AA) captured it and defeated the junta, claiming ‘this is our territory’ is absolutely unacceptable. There is no unity in the current union yet, and we are in a situation where further diplomatic discussions are needed when the military dictatorship collapses,” the spokesperson of the Interim Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (IKACC).
Junta forces in Chin State have not been completely cleared, and there are differences of opinion among Chin revolutionary groups, namely the Chinland Council (CC) and Chin Brotherhood (CB).
Although the CC has formed a Chin government, it has not yet designated towns, townships, or districts.
How Chin State will be built after defeating the military is a matter solely concerning the Chin people, according to the spokesperson.
Although Paletwa is part of Chin State, both Rakhine and Chin people live together there, and coexistence is accepted. With around 100,000 Chin people living in Rakhine State, the issue will need to be discussed at the negotiation table in the future, according to the IKACC spokesperson.
Regarding the ULA/AA’s administration in Paletwa Township, the Chin Civic Movement (CCM), composed of local and international youth, women, and intellectuals working to resolve differences among Chin nationals, also rejected in a statement on 12 August.
While the CCM views military activities and fighting in Chin State positively in the context of
overthrowing dictators and liberating oppressed ethnic groups together, it considers the ULA/AA’s actions, which lack the consent of local Chin people, as a colonial act against the Chin people, expressing great disappointment.
Unity and cooperation among Chin revolutionary groups are the only sustainable solution for Chin national affairs and the building of Chin State. The CCM believes that the Paletwa issue can be renegotiated among stakeholders in a federal democratic manner after the people’s revolution, as stated in their announcement.
Regarding this issue, when Mizzima asked a responsible person from the Chin National Front (CNF), he expressed their stance, “Just as Rakhine State should be governed by Rakhine people, Chin State should be governed by Chin people,”.
As the people of Paletwa do not accept the political stance and administrative mechanisms
implemented by the Arakan People’s Government, the Global Khumi Organization (GKO) and the Global Khumi Youth Association (GKYA) jointly issued the rejection in a statement on 12 August.
AA’s action violates the Panglong Agreement and the territorial boundaries of Chin State as established by Myanmar’s constitutions, as well as the will of the entire Chin population. It is seen as a power-centric colonial system that contradicts democratic principles, according to the statement.
Since the Arakan Army took control of Paletwa Township starting 14 January 2024, six murders and five rape cases have occurred over one year, according to the statement cited in local human rights records.
Although severe punishments, including the death penalty, have been imposed for murder and rape cases, a Paletwa local expressed a desire to know how the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government has addressed these incidents and called for transparent judicial processes.
Mizzima has been attempting to contact ULA/AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha regarding the opposition from Chin organizations to the Arakan Army (AA) designating Paletwa Township as a district and administering it, but has not yet received a response.
In Paletwa Township, In addition to the AA, which is allied with the Chin Brotherhood, members of the Chinland Defence Force-Paletwa (CDF-Paletwa) and Chin Defence Force-Daai (CDF-Daai) – both part of the Chinland Council (CC) – are also based and operating in the township.
