Nearly two years after taking control of Tonzang Township in northern Chin State, the Tonzang Township Council said it has begun implementing a new city development project. The council is administered by the Chin resistance group Chinland Defence Force–Tonzang (CDF-Tonzang).
The council’s chairman, U Thang Suan Mung, told Khonumthung News that around 300 plots of land in the northern part of Tonzang Town have already been mapped out, and preparations are underway to develop a new city area.
“Our goal is to rebuild Tonzang into a modern and well-developed city. The current town is built on a steep slope and isn’t well organized. That’s why we want to develop the new city on flat land, so it will be more systematic and easier for people to settle. The town layout has been modernized, and the roads have been carefully planned. We’re trying to turn Tonzang into a smarter, more modern city. At the same time, we’re negotiating with the original landowners and providing compensation,” he said.
According to U Thang Suan Mung, the new city project will initially include about 300 land plots measuring 60 by 60 feet, with four roads currently under construction. Additional roads are also planned.
The project site, located in the flat Tatkone area, includes land owned by a Christian pastor as well as land belonging to two individuals who support the junta and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), a rival group of the CDF. The two individuals are currently on the run, and their land has already been confiscated by the council. The council said it is still negotiating an agreement to purchase land from the pastor of the Brotherhoods Church for 100 million MMK in cash.
The council stated the project began earlier this month and that the mapping of land plots is expected to be completed by 2026. Once finalized, the plots will be sold through a lottery system to interested buyers.
“Right now, we’re arranging compensation for the pastor. After that, we’ll definitely focus on repairing the roads. We also need funds to buy weapons and food for CDF-Tonzang, but our resources are limited. The money we get from selling land in the new city will help fill that gap. There won’t be any profit from this. Our fighters don’t receive salaries, and village-level chairpersons under the council don’t either. That’s why we plan to allocate some plots to them. This project isn’t about making money, it’s about meeting needs. If you look at it purely from an economic perspective, it could even be a loss,” U Thang Suan Mung said.
He also sought to reassure residents that land purchased under the project would not be confiscated by the junta, saying Tonzang would not return to the regime’s control.
“I want people to know there’s no need to hesitate. We understand that some people may still feel uncertain, and that’s their choice. But the reality is that the revolution in Chin State has already succeeded in Tonzang. There will be continued operations to seize towns like Tedim, Hakha, and Thantlang. When that happens, the entire Chin State will be liberated, and people’s doubts will disappear. Our message is simple: the revolution will succeed, so if you want to buy land, don’t hold back because of fear,” he said.
The council is also planning to sell government buildings and offices in the old Tonzang Town to raise funds for the project, as government offices are expected to be relocated to the new city. U Thang Suan Mung said that since Tonzang is under the control of CDF-Tonzang, the council has the authority to sell those properties.
Resistance forces under the Government of Chinland–Chinland Council Defense Department captured Tonzang in May 2024. Since then, the Tonzang Township Council has been working to establish administrative structures and provide public services in the town.
