Interview with the responsible person or the collaborator for Mindat refugees
22 May 2021
In Mindat, Chin State, after the negotiated promise has broken between Civil Defense Force (CDF) and military council, the battles has resumed by May 12 and then military council declared to impose Mindat under martial law on May 13.
In the intensified battles between CDF and military council, the latter has used a lot of forces, heavy weapons and military helicopters, and attacked over the places where the civilians lived so that Mindat CDF reversed on May 15 by realizing the possible danger upon the innocent civilians.
Mindat is now controlled by the 274th Battalion of military council. Thus, almost all locals from Mindat do not dare to live in the town since they are worried upon the possible intensified clashes. Concerning about Mindat displaced persons, we caught up for interview with one responsible person for those displaced persons.
MPM : Now how many people are fleeing from Mindat?
RP : Over 6000. It may be between 6000 and 8000. Mindat is a hilly region. Its east is sloping downwards and its west is mounting upwards. Its north and south part is in the valley. There is a stream at the base of the hill. There are about 4000 or 5000 people fleeing to the west and around 6000 are with us in eastern part as well. Then some people are fleeing to the south and some are to Yaw district. Later more people are fleeing to the west too. Therefore, there will be from 6000 to 8000 to 10000 displaced people in total.
MPM : Now where are they living?
RP : They all are fleeing to the villages near the city. Others fled to the villages which are far from Mindat. Again, from these villages, they kept moving to other cities or other places where their relatives are living.
MPM : Now are there any IDP camps that have been already established? If so, how many are there?
RP : Until now, there are four major camps which can accommodate for 500 or 600 people. To my knowledge, there are 10 villages that can be used as camps and each village can accommodate for 100 or 200 people. There may be 50 to 100 people in some villages. Some villages could give the spaces for around 350 people and some for 500.
MPM : Where do the major IDP camps open?
RP : Due to the geographical structure of the villages and the existence of enough infrastructures such as high schools, middle schools or churches in the following villages such as Lothshell, Wunamtu, Kitar and Shup, they can accommodate a lot of displaced people. Some primary schools can accommodate for only 50 people. Some narrow spaces can afford for 100 people. However, the above-mentioned four villages can accommodate 400 to 500 people per village.
MPM : What do the IDP camps need urgently? Please mention about the problems facing in IDP camps.
RP : I don’t know what to say if I have been asked what IDP camps needed. They need everything – it means that they need the very basic things that a person needs to survive with. They need blankets, oil, salt, medicines, pillows, waterproof shelters, sweaters, clothes, onions, garlics, power bank, gasoline and more.
MPM : Is there any aids that have been already received?
RP : Yes. We have already received certain aids and there are also other aids which are coming. Our camp – can be regarded as “Main Camp” – distribute some materials to other camps. In particular we distribute gasoline because we have to use gasoline when we carry the patients or the refugees. We distribute the rice, medicine, Yum Yum instant noodles and waterproof shelters too. They run out in a short time since we distribute them again to other small camps. We have the difficulty for food because 200 or 300 people is the big amount to provide food. The hosted villages also provide their own food which are stored as their rainy season provisions. Therefore, we have to use food in a saving way.
MPM : Do you need to go or enter the city of Mindat whilst you brought the refugees? What kind of difficulty do you face?
RP : No, we do not enter Mindat. There are a lot of displaced people in the stream and valley, a little bit far from Mindat. Certain old people and children are still in the city. Those still living in the city are those who cannot run or who do not want to run or who have already determined not to leave Mindat. The other people have already arrived in the stream and valley therefore we just need to go there. They are brought to the nearest camps or the safe places or the places where the food can be provided.
MPM : Do you mean almost all people leave Mindat?
RP : Definitely Sure! I think around 80% or 90% fled to the safe areas.
MPM : Why did almost all people of Mindat flee?
RP : On May 15, Mindat, a very small town, was bombed over 60 times with heavy weapons. There was no one who was not frightened because they bombed through military helicopters. It is true that they seriously attacked in other cities such as Bago and Hlaing Thar Yar however they did not make artillery attack more than 60 times. And like here, they did not bomb through helicopters. If so, the people in Mindat were frightened a lot. And military council arrested all males, used them as human shields and built the base. Because of these situations, every young man determined to flee since they could be assumed as the members of CDF.
MPM : Do you have anything to add?
RP : The international community helped Mindat and the entire country as possible as they can. I am really glad for their help and contribution. We are fighting for democracy not only for Mindat but also for the entire country. We are fighting the truth. There are many people who are helping us however we have certain difficulties. For instance, people from Kachin or Kayin State have experienced about the battles and fleeing before therefore they know how to continue whilst fleeing. However, we, Mindat, do not have any experience about fleeing. This is our first time. Since the people fleeing did not know how to do, they carried a lot from their homes. It is the very first time for everyone and they do not know how to pass through this difficult situation. They do have a lot of necessities and certain difficulties. They are struggling for their survival. Please keep support for Mindat people. Please help us. Please fight together with Mindat in order to get our democracy.
Sent by KMG
