FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Chinland Council appoints new government
The Chinland Council announced the establishment of a government – formed by resistance groups opposed to the military takeover – on Feb. 1. This announcement followed its second meeting at Camp Victoria, the headquarters of the Chin National Front (CNF/CNA), on Jan. 30-31.
The Chinland government’s stated aims are “to demolish all forms of military dictatorship, establish a federal democratic union, foster military and political harmony as well as collaborate with allied Ethnic Armed Organizations, and People’s Defense Forces, governments, political parties, and individual organizations involved in the Spring Revolution.”
It will consist of executive, judicial, and legislative branches. An elected committee has appointed Pu Pa Thang, a National League for Democracy (NLD) party member and parliamentarian from Matupi Township, as Prime Minister. Read more here.
US congressional caucus supports fight for democracy
The first-ever U.S. Congressional Caucus on Burma was launched by Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Congressman Bill Huizenga on Feb. 1 – to coincide with the commemoration of the 2021 military coup.
“Launching this caucus on this third anniversary was intended to act as a tremendous show of support for the bravery and determination of the Burmese people in their struggle against the military junta,” said Huizenga.
The caucus aims to strengthen congressional support for democracy and human rights in Burma. The U.S has sanctioned the military regime’s defense ministry, two state-owned banks, and the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) to deprive it of foreign revenue.
Myanmar Witness states detention facilities have expanded
A Myanmar Witness report stated that prison facilities have seen extensive renovations and expansions since the 2021 military coup. Of the 59 prisons in the report, 88 percent were renovated in the last three years.
New prisons have been built in Monywa Township of Sagaing Region and Mawlamyine Township of Mon State. Two more are scheduled to open soon in Ayeyarwady and Bago regions.
Some prisons and labor camps were shut down or working at a reduced capacity from 2011 to 2021. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) states that since the 2021 coup at least 25,940 people have been arrested for political reasons and 20,002 are currently in detention.
News by Region
ARAKAN—A curfew has been imposed in Sittwe from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting on Feb. 1. “These days, security has been heightened in every neighborhood, with military patrols occurring daily,” a resident told DVB.
The Arakan Army (AA) has taken control over several strategic military bases in Paletwa Township of southern Chinland, and in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Minbya townships in Arakan.
KACHIN—At least eight soldiers were killed when the Kachin Independence Army (KIA/KIO) took control of a military outpost in Namtein village, Hpakant Township, on Feb. 3. “There were two to three outposts in the village. KIA took control of the one on high ground,” said a Namtein resident.
The KIA began its attack on Jan. 6 with drones. It cut off water supplies to the outpost in mid-January. It seized control of two military outposts and a police station in Hwayhkar village, Hpakant Township, on Jan. 20.
SHAN—Three children were killed when an artillery shell accidentally detonated in a village of Namhsan Township on Feb. 2. “The children were killed instantly,” a resident told DVB. Residents state that the number of people killed by landmines and explosive remnants of war has risen significantly since 2021.
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