Nay Pyi Taw May 15
After the declaration of a state of emergency on 1 February 2021, the Tatmadaw took over State responsibilities for a prescribed period as stipulated by the Constitution (2008), formed the State Administration Council and has been making all-out efforts for State development, peace and stability. Meanwhile, with intent to harm regional peace, stability and development in Mindat Township, Chin State, rioters started staging riotous and violent protests in early February, persuading government staff to participate in the CDM and threating and pressuring non-CDM participants in order to disrupt administrative mechanism.
Moreover, by contacting the CRPH declared as an unlawful association and terrorist group, they established a people’s administrative force illegally and have come to commit acts of terrorism such as planting and blowing up mines, burning departmental buildings, abducting government employees and ambushing security forces with small and heavy weapons, hunting guns, handmade bombs and fire bottles with the intention of harming community peace and tranquility and lives and property of people wishing to live in peace.
About seven waves of ambush attacks were carried out from 24 April to 13 May on security forces patrolling in Mindat Township with the use of small weapons and hunting guns. On 12 May, terrorist CDF members attacked Myanmar Economic Bank in Sanpya Ward and Myoma Police Station in East Ward in Mindat with hunting guns and handmade bombs. They abducted and took away assistant engineer U Ye Aung Soe and U Wai Phyo Thant from Mindat District Electricity Office for no reason.
On 13 May afternoon also, around 100 terrorists attacked security forces coming from Matupi to Mindat for security duties at 35/0 mile post on Matupi-Mindat Road. Moreover, about 100 terrorists blocked and attacked the security forces at a place about 200 meters east of Mindat to prevent them entering the town. In the attacks, a car was burnt down and some security forces were killed or injured or got missing.
Although negotiations were held with members of the administrative body, departmental officials, town elders and religious leaders on 29 April and 10 May for stability and the rule of law in Mindat, terrorists did not accept the talks and accelerated their violent acts. Due to incitements of unlawful association and terrorist group the CRP H and illegally formed public administrative bodies behind the scene, stability in Mindat deteriorated while the lives and property of people who want to lead peaceful lives were likely to be jeopardized.
Therefore, the Martial Law in connection with administrative and judiciary affairs was declared on 13 May in order to take more effective measures for the security, the rule of law and tranquility in Mindat Township.
After the declaration of the Martial Law, security forces on their way to Mindat to take measures for enhanced security, the rule of law and tranquility on 14 May morning came under attack from about 1,000 terrorists with small arms, 40 mm, local firearms and homemade bombs at about 2,000 metres east of Mindat and the security forces had to responded to the attack. As six vehicles were burnt down and some members of the security forces lost their lives while others have lost contacts with their units during the incident, measures are being taken to look for the members of security forces who have lost contacts with their units. Similarly, as security forces came under ambush on Mindat-Matupi Road by terrorists with local firearms and small arms for five times, the security forces returned firing at them, leading to the death of a terrorist and the seizure of one local firearm and four homemade bombs.
Security forces have taken measures day or night for stability and the prevention of the activities of terrorists in Mindat. It is necessary for people who want to lead peaceful lives to cooperate with security forces and effective action will be taken against those who are involved in or abet violence and those who commit crimes subject to court martial procedures in accordance with the existing laws.
100