An interview with Mai Emily, Second Lieutenant of the Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA).
November 15, 2022
The military has been making brutal crackdowns on the defenseless people who peacefully staged anti-coup protests since Feb 1 coup, 2021. Due to the military’s brutal crackdowns, the youths across the country have turned to the armed revolution as they have no other alternative.
Till date, they have been engaging in the revolution actively to end the military dictatorship. Among the revolutionary youths is a 22-year-old Chin girl namely, Mai Emily who is studying law at the university. She joined the Chin National Army (CNA) of her own volition. Now she is serving her duties as Second Lieutenant at the CNA. The following is the Khonumthung Media Group’s (KMG) interview with Mai Emily.
Q: First of all, I would like to know, what did you stay and do when the military staged a coup?
A: I have not completed my education. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the university was closed. Then, the revolution emerged. Then, I joined the CNA. Before the revolution, I was a student. I helped my elder sister’s shop in Yangon. I returned to my native town as I could not work in Yangon following the coup. I stayed at my house for a long. Many youths participated in the revolution by scarifying their lives. I no longer wanted to sit idle. So I joined the CNF.
Q: How do you feel as a youth when you hear the news about the coup?
A: At that time, I was in Yangon. All TV channels were cut off. I fell asleep as I had to work until midnight. I heard the news about the coup in the early morning. I did not feel startled as I had not had many experiences. Min Ko Naing started instigating the public to stage a protest in Yangon. At that time, I participated in the protests. Then, I returned to Chin State.
Q: There were a lot of protests in Chin State when you returned to Chin State. Did you participate in the protests in Chin State?
A: I did not participate in the protests as I was in my village. I stayed in my house and helped my parents.
Q: As a young Chin woman, can you explain the reason why you participated in the armed revolution?
A: All the youths are making a revolution by sacrificing their lives. As a youth, I cannot sit idle. I think there will be a space I can participate in. So, I joined the CNA in order to help them as much as I can.
Q: May I know your parents’ view over joining the CNA?
A: My family did not allow me to join it. My parents told me to stay together whether they are killed and alive. I did not agree with my parents. I decided to join it to help the revolution as much as I can as I may die without doing anything.
Q: When did you join the CNA?
A: I joined the CNA in late January this year. Then, I attended a two-month training course. After that, I will continue to stay here.
Q: As a woman, what difficulties did you face during your military training?
A: There were a lot of difficulties. As a woman, I faced more difficulties. Some women are my seniors. I have to bear in mind that I can do what they can do. With this in mind, I can overcome my difficulties. The most difficult thing is I have to do some work within five minutes and five seconds.
Q: At present, what duties do you perform?
A: I worked as a staff at the Defense Department when I joined it. Now, I am working at the Central Court. The Central Court has subcommittees. I am working as a secretary in the subcommittee and as a staff at the central court. My rank in the army is second lieutenant.
Q: Everybody has their own dreams. I believe that you must have a dream. What is your future dream?
A: My dream is to pursue my education. Then, I had a plan to apply for the master degree course in a foreign country. But now it did not materialize. So, I am doing so in order that the dreams of our future generation may not die.
Q: Do you find it difficult to implement your dream as you join the revolution?
A: I have a feeling. I no longer pursue my education to get a degree. I feel very sorry as I have no chance to get a degree. My expectation is to get a degree. However, my ambition changed when I joined it.
Q: What difficulties do you face when you stay in an outpost? How do you try to regain your strength?
A: My student life had a lot of freedom. I have a lot of pressure as I have to work under rules and regulations. The main point is pressure. I faced a situation where I no longer wanted to do anything. When I faced pressure, I told myself that I am working for our future and our country.
Q: What is your future plan after the success of this revolution?
A: I will continue to work for our Chin people after the end of this revolution. Chin people are very diverse. They esteem other races. They don’t pay attention to the same races.
Q: Do you repent of your participation in the revolution?
A: I don’t repent of it. I will continue to participate in the revolution. I will do it until it achieves success.
Q: May I know your expectation for the Spring Revolution?
A: Chin people envy others. Chin people can establish their own state when this revolution is successful. Or else we will do self-determination. My expectation is to establish our own state.
Q: Which message do you want to convey to your comrades?
A: I feel very sorry when I feel sympathy for the bereaved families.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: All the people are engaging in the revolution. The public cannot stay in their houses and has to flee to safer places. Some people have returned to their houses as they are convenient. They can stay calmly if they are not involved in the revolution. I would like to tell the parents that their children are participating in the revolution. I would like to say that we will help and encourage each other.
Sent by KMG