Two Chin resistance forces members killed in Chinland
The Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), a member of the Chin Brotherhood faction of the Chin resistance, told DVB that two Chin resistance fighters, including a battalion commander, were killed after being injured by regime forces in Falam, northern Chinland, on Sunday. Falam is located 41 miles (65 km) north of the capital Hakha.
“We have the upper hand in the fighting even though some of our members [have been killed or] injured. The [regime] is losing too many troops and weapons while some have fled their base,” Salai Timmy, the CNDF spokesperson told DVB. Fighting in Falam began on March 12 and escalated on March 16. Retaliatory airstrikes have been carried out on Chin resistance positions at seized regime outposts in Falam.
Fighting over control of the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 268, the remaining regime outpost in the town, continues. The Chin Brotherhood launched its offensive in Falam on Nov. 9. Chin resistance forces control 15 out of 20 townships in Chinland, including the Burma-India border town of Rikhawdar. The Arakan Army (AA) seized Paletwa Township in southern Chinland in January 2024.
India to fence Myanmar border within decade
India’s plans to erect a 1,020 mile (1,643 km) long “anti-cut, anti-climb” fence along its border with Burma will reach completion within the next 10 years, officials told The Hindu newspaper. India’s Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah announced the project in February 2024, and officials reported on Sunday that work has accelerated over the past few months.
A parliamentary panel report on March 10 stated that it approved 310 billion INR ($3.5 billion USD) to fence the border and build roads for the paramilitary group Assam Rifles’ operating bases. “The technology is entirely indigenous and developed by our own engineers. It has anti-cut and anti-climb features which will deter illegal infiltration and secure the border,” said a senior official with the Assam Rifles.
Mizoram State Chief Minister Lalduhoma told his legislative assembly that nearly 2,000 foreigners, including Americans and British nationals, have crossed the India-Burma border to provide military training to Chin resistance forces from June to December. India’s border with Burma spans 323 miles (520 km) in Arunachal Pradesh, 316 miles (510 km) in Mizoram, 247 miles (398 km) in Manipur, and 133 miles (215 km) in Nagaland.
Martin Smith on Myanmar’s ‘conflict trap’ and politics of ethnicity
Martin Smith, an independent journalist and historian on Myanmar joined us in the DVB Newsroom to discuss his latest work “The Conflict Trap,” a new podcast series produced by the Transnational Institute (TNI). Smith is the author of the quintessential book on Myanmar “Burma: Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity.”
“Burma today is on the same page of conflict, division and humanitarian emergency as Ukraine, or Syria, or Sudan, and even Gaza, Palestine. We’re talking about over four million refugees and IDPs. We’re talking about over 20,000 political prisoners. We’re talking about half the population living in poverty,” said Smith.
Watch DVB Newsroom podcast season 2 episode 10 featuring Martin Smith on Myanmar’s ‘conflict trap’ and the politics of ethnicity on DVB English News YouTube or Spotify. Or if you prefer to listen to the audio version, find us on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get podcasts.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Bangladesh media reported that the Arakan Army (AA) released 26 Bangladeshi fishermen on Saturday after successful negotiations were held with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The 26 Bangladeshis were detained by the AA for “illegal” fishing off the coast of Arakan.
“After negotiations between the BGB and the AA, they were released with their fishing boats,” said the BGB spokesperson. The AA has controlled the entire 168 mile (271 km) long Burma-Bangladesh border since Maungdaw Township in northern Arakan was seized on Dec. 8. It stated on Nov. 20 that it will prosecute illegal acts, in accordance with the law.
NAYPYIDAW—Min Aung Hlaing called on citizens to cooperate with his regime in preparing for elections while he was handing out honorary titles and medals to 50 people on Sunday. Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said that Russia and Belarus will provide assistance for the election. China pledged its support last year.
“Preparations are underway to hold a multiparty democratic general election. The government and the people must work together in unity to ensure [it’s] successful,” said Min Aung Hlaing. He announced that elections would be held in December or in January 2026, during a visit to Belarus on March 7.
SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claimed that nine Nawngkhio Township residents, including two Buddhist monks and four novices, were killed and 17 were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in northern Shan State on Sunday. Nawnghkio is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the regional capital Lashio.
The TNLA added that a regime fighter jet dropped four bombs and fired its machine gun twice at civilians during an attack on the Sein Yadana Monastery. The regime and TNLA are expected to hold a second round of peace talks in April after they were unable to come to an agreement last month in China.
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