Four Myanmar nationals, including three Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) members, drowned while attempting to cross the Tiau River into Mizoram after fleeing an attack by Chin National Army (CNA) militants. The CNDF had to abandon their Camp Rihli in Myanmar and tried to swim towards Saikhumphai in Champhai district. According to Vaphai YMA leaders, three drowned Sunday night and another on Monday morning. CNA’s assault, in retaliation for CNDF’s capture of eight CDF-Hualngoram camps, forced CNDF cadres to flee in civilian clothes.
The conflict has displaced nearly 4,000 refugees into Mizoram, with over 3,000 in Zokhawthar and 800 in Vaphai and Saikhumphai. Several injured CDF and CNDF members are being treated locally. Zo Re-Unification Organisation (ZORO) has urged both sides to cease hostilities, warning that continued violence will hinder the Chin people’s democratic and federal aspirations under Myanmar’s military regime.
