India accuses foreigners of entering Myanmar to train Chin resistance
Mizoram State Chief Minister Lalduhoma told the state assembly in Aizawl on Monday that nearly 2,000 foreigners, including Americans and British nationals, have crossed the India-Burma border to provide military training to resistance forces in Chinland from June to December. Six Mizoram districts—Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual and Serchhip—share a 316 mile (510 km) border with Burma.
“[T]he situation of Mizoram being used by foreigners as a transit route [into Burma] has become a grave concern for the [central government], which prompted the reimposition of the Protected Area Permit in the state,” said Lalduhoma. The Mizoram State government had initially opposed the decision to reimpose the Protected Area Permit (PAP) by New Delhi, but it has now come to see the reasoning behind the move, added Lalduhoma.
The PAP was relaxed in 2011 to boost tourism to India’s northeastern Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram states. Indian authorities have restricted access to the No. 2 India-Burma Friendship Bridge, located on the border between Rikhawdar, Chinland, and Zokhawthar, Mizoram, since Jan. 2. Rikhawdar is 147 miles (236 km) north of the Chinland capital Hakha. It came under Chin resistance control on Nov. 13, 2023.
Arakan Army seizes $3 million in assets from businessperson
Sources close to the Arakan Army (AA) told DVB that it has sealed homes and confiscated properties belonging to Kyauk Taung, a prominent businessperson in Arakan State, on allegations of collaborating with the regime. He refuted the allegations against him on Monday and told the BBC that his confiscated assets are worth $3 million USD.
“[His] properties, including his home in Taungup and business enterprises in Thandwe and other townships, have been confiscated as public property. Some homes of other Thandwe businesspeople close to the [regime] have also been included,” a resident told DVB. Thandwe is one of 14 townships in Arakan now under AA control.
It is home to the country’s tourist hotspot Ngapali beach, located 180 miles (290 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe. Kyauk Taung owns properties and businesses in Arakan, which includes border trade with Bangladesh in timber and cement. He also owns an undisclosed number of hotels in Ngapali beach. Read more.
Kachin Independence Army faces 70 airstrikes in Bhamo Township
The Burma Air Force has carried out more than 70 retaliatory airstrikes against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) during fighting over control of the regime’s Military Operations Command (MOC) 21 in Bhamo Township of southern Kachin State since Saturday.
“We [have] seized defensive positions around the MOC 21,” a source from the KIA told DVB. Bhamo is located 120 miles (193 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina and 58 miles (93 km) southwest of Laiza, the KIA headquarters.
The KIA claimed that it has captured an undisclosed number of outposts belonging to the MOC 21 and has shot down seven Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones. The regime has reportedly airdropped weapons, ammunition, and other supplies to its troops stationed in Bhamo since it has been unable to send in reinforcements by road. Read more.
News by Region
KACHIN—More than 100 military conscripts were sent to Myitkyina Township, the Kachin State capital on Saturday, according to a source close to the regime. The conscripts received military training in Pathein District of Ayeyarwady Region. Pathein is located 895 miles (1,440 km) south of Myitkyina.
A family member of one of the 100 conscripts from Ayeyarwady told DVB that they were a part of the eighth intake under the conscription law, which was enforced on Feb. 10, 2024. The KIA and its allied resistance forces launched a state-wide offensive against regime forces on March 7.
MAGWAY—Ngape Township residents told DVB that three civilians were killed by drone strikes on Linde village, located south of the Natyaykan Air Defense Base, since Monday. Linde has 1,500 residents, according to the 2014 census. It was seized by the AA earlier this month. Ngape is located 48 miles (77 km) west of the region’s capital Magway.
“The AA seized an unknown number of villages along the [Ann-Padan] Road, near the air base,” a Ngape resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The AA expanded its Arakan offensive into Magway, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions in December. It has been reported that the AA will attend peace talks with the regime in China this month.
SAGAING—Kanni Township residents told DVB that one civilian was killed and one was injured by airstrikes on Muhtaw and Natkyi villages on Monday. The People’s Defense Force (PDF) called the attack a “war crime.” Kanni is located 40 miles (64 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa and is partially controlled by the National Unity Government (NUG).
“How many more people have to die before action is taken against the [regime]?” asked a PDF spokesperson. At least nine bombs were dropped by jet fighters on the two villages, which forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, according to the PDF. Two vehicles were destroyed by the airstrikes.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,400 MMK)
Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada is hosting a panel discussion on Burma’s independent media featuring DVB Chief Editor Aye Chan Naing on March 13. Register here.
