Thousands flee Myanmar town near India border as military clashes with rebels

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Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 23 Sep 2021, 04:58 am Print

Myanmar Conflict

Over 20 houses were set ablaze in Thantlang town in Myanmar's western Chin state during fighting between army and militia forces over the weekend. Photos by The Chinland Post, released on Twitter on Sept 18, 2021

Naypyidaw/JEN: A Myanmar town near the India border has witnessed a massive exodus as thousands of people have fled amid fierce fighting between the army and militia forces opposed to the military coup, local media reported.

According to local media reports, nearly all the 10,000 residents of Thantlang town in Chin state in western Myanmar have left the place after a number of houses in the township were set ablaze by artillery during fighting over the weekend.

#Myanmar citizens forced to flee from clashes between #military & people defence forces in eastern #Kayah not only have to deal with being displaced, lost possessions/homes, they're now infected with #Covid19 where they'll unlikely get any medical help #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar https://t.co/UuxgsytqWQ
— May Wong (@MayWongCNA) September 18, 2021

Local media reported quoting a community leader that thousands of Thantlang residents had fled to India across the nearby border while thousands more were seeking shelter in surrounding areas including the neighbouring country.

Locals, #Myanmar media reporting of at least 10 homes in Thantlang, western #Chin allegedly torched by #military security forces. Various parts of Chin experienced fierce clashes/attacks by military since #coup. Many residents fled/displaced (citizen vid) #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/9PglEEL2nb
— May Wong (@MayWongCNA) September 18, 2021

CNN reported citing the head of a civil society group in northeast Indian state of Mizoram that more than 5,500 people from neighbouring Myanmar had arrived in just two Mizo districts over the past week.

Grim footage uploaded by Chinland Post shows the extent of damage in Thantlang in Myanmar's Chin State. Local media claimed the fire damage was caused by heavy shelling. Geolocation: https://t.co/USqjelD6ZI Source: https://t.co/17s4KmofPq. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/9xokN2b5XR
— Benjamin Strick (@BenDoBrown) September 22, 2021

Myanmar's media outlets said in their reports that about 20 homes were set ablaze during the fight last weekend.

A junta army officer who recently switched side admitted to having had received direct orders from top level military officials to cause havoc and destruction in civilian populated areas and to shoot at anyone. New rule of engagement within junta army in Chin State. #WarCrimes pic.twitter.com/8utozqrA1V
— ChinHumanRightsOrg (@ChinHumanRights) September 18, 2021

The tension had worsened after soldiers shot dead a Christian pastor who was trying to extinguish a blaze, according to a report by Myanmar Now news portal, although Myanmar state media disputed the report.

A Christian minister Biak Kolh was shot dead by the junta troops while he was going to extinguish the blaze at Chin state’s Thantlang town. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/biJuXEIX6b
— Thang Deih Tuang (@ThangDeihTuang) September 18, 2021

Meanwhile, it was reported by The Global New Light of Myanmar that the pastor's death was being investigated while the soldiers allegedly involved in the incident had been ambushed by about 100 "terrorists" during a heavy exchange of fire.

After the junta fired artillery shells to Hakha town, a capital of Chin state, a house is burning. No casualties have been reported. Residents said gunshot and explosions are still being heard. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/p1XSBwesfg
— Thang Deih Tuang (@ThangDeihTuang) September 18, 2021

CNN reported quoting local community leader Salai Thang that at least four civilians had been killed and over 15 wounded in several weeks of conflict with the military while a statement from the Chin Defense Force, a militia opposed to the military, read that 30 Myanmar soldiers had been killed.

According to local media The Chinland Post, over 19 houses were burnt down by junta forces’ shelling in Thantlang, Chin State on Saturday evening.
A Christian pastor Mr. Cung Biak Hum was also shot dead by the military in the town. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #Sep18Coup pic.twitter.com/AFVWa5oo0Z
— Shoon Naing (@Shoon_Naing) September 18, 2021

Though, none of the claims or allegations from both the sides has been examined or confirmed independently yet by any international media outlet or news agency.

All Thantlang residents (really all) have fled the town and now fleeing to Myanmar-India border and some seek shelters in nearby villages. The town is home to 10,000 population and is just 23 miles away from Hakha, Chin state capital.
(via @thechindiwn)#WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar pic.twitter.com/TU1xJzxYpt
— Thang Deih Tuang (@ThangDeihTuang) September 20, 2021

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the country's military seized power in a coup toppling the democratically elected government led by pro-democracy veteran Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1 this year, triggering nationwide anger, protests, strikes, demonstrations, violent clashes and the emergence of anti-junta militia.

#MyanmarConflict #MyanmarCrisis #Myanmar #Thantlang #ChinState #MyanmarClashes #AntiJunta #AntiJuntaMilitia #AungSanSuuKyi