An interview with a local youth leader from Htantalan Township
September 20th, 2021
Around 19 houses were burnt down in downtown Htantalan Township in Chin State as the military council troops fired heavy weapons on around 3.30 pm on September 18th. A Baptist pastor who tried to extinguish fire was shot dead by the military council troops. The KMG interviewed a youth leader in Htantalan Township about the incident.
Q: May I know first about the fire incident in Htantalan on the evening of September 18th? What is the cause of fire?
A: A combined force of the Chin National Army/Chinland Defence Force (CNA/CDF) was active in downtown yesterday. There were shootings downtown from 10 am to four pm. There were encounters. Around 30 soldiers of the military council were killed in the shooting. The CNA/CDF members withdrew successfully without any casualties. After that, the military council’s troops carried out indiscriminate shooting. Fire broke out due to the firing of heavy weapons. The incident took place at No.1 ward (formally called Kyaung ward).
Q: How many houses were destroyed by fire? Is there any report of casualties?
A: A total of 19 houses were burnt down. A woman got minor injuries. I don’t get further information about it. No one dared to go outside when the fire broke out. There were consecutive shootings when the fire broke out.
Q: Did the fire engine arrive when the fire broke out?
A: The people phoned the fire services department when the fire broke out. Many staff from the fire services department have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). There is only one non-CDM staff member at the department. He was unable to rush to the incident as his wife was injured by indiscriminate shootings when fire broke out. Fire continued as the fire engine was unable to arrive in time.
Q: A pastor was shot dead by the military council’s troops when he tried to extinguish the fire. Can you explain what happened?
A: No one dared to go outside when the fire broke out. A pastor from the TCBC tried to put out the fire. He is the most reliable one for Htantalan. Pastor Cung Biak Hum organized the people and went to the incident to put out fire. The military council’s troops fired them with automatic machine guns from the junction of Htantalan. He was intentionally shot dead. The military council’s troops cut off his finger and stole the wedding ring. The people feel a deep resentment.
Q: May I know the current situation? What will be the aftermath?
A: Almost all people in downtown Htantanlan are fleeing to the villages due to the military council’s inhumane acts. I have not compiled the exact number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Locals are still fleeing to the villages.
Q: How many IDPs are there in downtown Htantalan?
A: Now the number of the IDPs has reached around 6,000. Locals have to take shelter in the villages near Htantalan and nearby mountain ranges. Take a look at yesterday’s incident, they find it very difficult to go out of the town. Many people went outside by cars hoisting white flags and by foot. Due to the sudden incident, locals face accommodation difficulties. They were unable to bring many foods. In-charges from villages along the mountain have to share food with the IDPs as much as they can.
Sent by the KMG.
