The People’s Administration Team, which now administers Mindat Township of southern Chinland, told DVB that it has been restoring the water supply and clearing Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and other detritus from the town in order to allow residents to return to their homes. Mindat is located 272 miles (437 km) south of the Chinland capital Hakha.
“We have recovered unexploded 500-pound bombs, as well as cluster bombs, in the town,” Salai Yaw Man, the spokesperson of the Chin Brotherhood and its People’s Administration Team in Mindat, told DVB.
The Chin Brotherhood and its allied resistance groups seized control of Mindat, and neighbouring Kanpetlet, in southern Chinland from the military on Dec. 21-22.
Last June, fighting between the Chin Brotherhood and the Chin National Army (CNA), which represents the Chinland Council, occurred in Mindat over the course of one week before the CNA withdrew on June 24.
The Zomi Federal Union (ZFU), which is a member of the Chin Brotherhood, issued a statement on Jan. 14 asserting that it would not recognize any claims from the regime in Naypyidaw nor the Chinland Council to Tedim Township of northern Chinland. Tedim is located 117 miles (188 km) north of Hakha.
Salai Yaw Man added that a “People’s Security Force,” which was established by the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) Mindat in 2022, will continue to provide security to residents upon their return.
The CDF Mindat imposed a curfew on the town to reportedly protect residents from airstrikes or other attacks by the military.
The Chin Brotherhood reported that over 100 military personnel, including their family members, surrendered to them during the 40 days of fighting that took place against regime forces.
Following the Chin Brotherhood’s victory over the regime in Mindat and Kanpetlet, Salai Yaw Man claimed that Chin resistance forces now have control of over 80 percent of Chinland.
Thirteen towns are now controlled by the Chin resistance, including the Myanmar-India border town of Rikhawdar.
Salai Yaw Man added that the Arakan Army (AA) is supporting the Chin Brotherhood militarily. Paletwa Township, 199 miles (321 km) south of Hakha, came under AA control last January.
But regime forces still control Hakha and Tedim, as well as Thantlang, located 22 miles (35 km) west of Hakha, and Falam, located 122 miles (196 km) north of Hakha.