Two two factions of the Chin resistance, the Chin Brotherhood’s Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and the Chinland Council’s Chin National Army (CNA), told DVB that they seek peace following territorial disputes in Falam Township, northern Chinland (Chin State), on July 4-6.
“The CNA attacked our areas and advanced into Falam,” Salai Timmy, the CNDF spokesperson, told DVB. Falam, located 68 miles (109 km) north of the state capital Hakha, was seized by CNDF and its Chin Brotherhood allies in April.
“We didn’t invade any territory. The [CNDF] entered our territory, so we responded in self-defense,” Salai Htet Ni, the CNA spokesperson, told DVB.
The CNA reportedly attacked a CNDF base in Falam on July 6 – one day after the CNDF attacked Rihkhawdar town, which is controlled by the CDF–Hualngoram, which is allied to the CNA. Each group accuses the other of attempting to expand territory under its control.
Representatives from the CNA and CNDF told DVB on Tuesday that fighting between the two Chin resistance groups continues but has slowed down to allow discussions to take place.
Chin Brotherhood spokesperson Salai Yaw Mang reported that it is “seeking a peaceful resolution” to the conflict. No casualties have been reported from either side.
Indian media reported that officials from Mizoram State visited the border area for peace talks between the CNA and CNDF on July 6, but no agreement has been reported.
Over 4,000 residents of Falam have fled into India since July 2, a senior security official told Reuters.
The CNA, and its political wing the Chin National Front (CNF), split from the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC), which was set up in response to the 2021 military coup, due to internal disputes in December 2023.
The ICNCC was established in April 2021 by Chin resistance groups and elected members of parliament ousted in the 2021 coup. It is backed by the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG).
The CNA was established in 1988 to seek autonomy for the Chin people. It signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015, but returned to armed struggle following the 2021 coup.
The CNDF is part of the Chin Brotherhood, a coalition of armed resistance groups that have remained aligned to the ICNCC. The CNA left the grouping to found its Chinland Council in 2024 as an alternative to the ICNCC.
Since the uprising to the 2021 coup began, Chin resistance forces have seized control of 16 towns in 15 townships of Chinland, which makes up about 90 percent of the state. The Arakan Army (AA) took control of Paletwa Township in southern Chinland in January 2024. It is an ally of the Chin Brotherhood.
The regime controls the state capital Hakha, as well as Thantlang and Tedim, which are located 22-122 miles (35-196 km) to the west and north of Hakha. The two factions of the Chin resistance agreed to unite in February during a meeting in the Mizoram State capital Aizawl.
