Villagers from Chin State Raise Security Concerns as Large Tatmadaw Troop Escalation Takes Place in Paletwa and Matupi Townships
27th April 2019, Matupi
At approximately 6 pm on 21st April 2019, more than 100 military trucks containing Tatmadaw troops from the 77th Light Infantry Division (LID) arrived in Matupi Town,
Chin State. The vehicles, estimated to be carrying 1000 Tatmadaw soldiers travelled through the town of Lailenpi to reach Rezua, Matupi Township the next day.
The other which was a convoy of 40 Tatmadaw vehicles, divided into two groups and left directly toward Paletwa Township;
“The troops leaving for Rezua and Lailenpi towns left Matupi on Monday afternoon, they then spent one night at Rezua, left the town at 8 in the morning and reached Laipenpi
around 6 pm in the evening on the same day. They slept in Lailenpi,” stated eyewitnesses interviewed by the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).
It is reported that the next morning, the troops left the town on foot and in the direction of Paletwa Township. According to Pu Salong, the Ward Administrator for Ngala Ward
in the township, the troop influx will likely be for “security reasons”.
Whatever the reason, with this being the second recent influx of Tatmadaw – in February 50 vehicles from the 55th Light Infantry Division arrived in Matupi Town - concerns of forced
labour have been raised:
“The local residents from Matupi Township are intimidated about this mass arrival of troops, they feel threatened that some locals may be being called for guides around the
area,” a local man reported to the CHRO.
Villagers from Paletwa Township reported that a number of soldiers were dropped off at Kanawng Village, and at least 3 military vehicles passed though Paucing Village,
heading in the direction of Paletwa Town.
Most of the remaining troops left the town on foot, heading in the direction of Valawngkung and Vadengkung villages, in the northeast
of Paletwa Township. It is alleged that three Kanawng villagers were called as guides to Valawngkung village to assist the troops.
CHRO works to protect and promote the rights of Chin people and other oppressed and marginalized communities in Burma/Myanmar
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Chin Human Rights Org. who can be contacted at info(AT)chro(DOT)ca
This Press Release was posted on April 28 2019
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