Spokesperson of CNF/CNAOn 2 February, the military council declared martial law for 37 townships in eight regions and states including seven townships in Chin State. The military council already declared martial law in Mindat Township in which the Tumi Revolution began in 2021 in Chin State which has nine townships. Except for Paletwa Township, the military council imposed martial law on the remaining eight townships in Chin State.The Khonumthung Media Group (KMG) interviewed Salai Htet Ni, Spokesperson of Chin National Front (CNF) about the Chin defense forces’ response to the declaration of martial law in almost all townships in Chin and the military situations in Chin State.Q: On 2 February, the military council which extended the state of emergency for another six months declared martial law in seven townships of Chin State. May I know your response?A: In my view, the military council declared martial law in the areas which see the lack of effective control and have intense fighting. So far, the military council has imposed martial law in around 40 townships in Myanmar. The military council imposed martial law in the areas which see no effective control and military tension in the Spring Revolution. Min Aung Hlaing allows the military commander to commit violence arrest, torture, sentencing and killing of the people included in the Spring Revolution and the Chin people who are suspected of supporting the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs). The main point is the junta grants the license to kill. In my view, this is the military council’s threat and challenge that the army shall commit atrocities against the public in Chin State if the Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA) attacks the army.Q: The military council declared martial law in eight of nine townships in Chin State except for Paletwa Township. What are the consequences of it and the military situation?A: Taking a look at the military situation in the whole country including Chin State, the military council is carrying out airstrikes against the public due to its less territorial control and weak ground forces. The administrative mechanism is not working effectively. The junta uses it as a last resort. The public shall feel a deep resentment towards him. Finally, the junta’s act has put both him and the country into the abyss. We will fight the junta till the end, joining hands with the public.Q: What should the public be aware of as the military has declared martial law in the whole Chin State?A: We have educated the public about the protection against airstrikes in cooperation with local defense forces. The junta’s airstrikes will not be as effective as other plain areas due to the geographical location in Chin State as we are cooperating with the public to get information in advance. I would like to call on the public not to worry excessively and to pluck up. We will continue to fight against the junta by joining hands with the public. We have no other option. It is natural that there will be casualties in a war. However, we don’t want the casualties of the public. We will fight against the junta by standing with the people and paying attention to the security of the public as much as we can.Q: How does the CNF or Chinland Defense Forces (CDFs) prepare due to the recent declaration of martial law in almost all townships in Chin State?A: Explicitly saying, we have no man-portable air-defense systems. However, we will do our best on how to do self-defense on the ground. In the military affair, we need to know the weak point of our enemy. We will do your work based on the enemy’s advantages and disadvantages. As a matter of fact, we have no man-portable air-defense systems. However, we will continue to protect airstrikes by drafting multifaceted strategies.Q: Chin State has seen strong armed resistance and intense fighting. May fighting intensify in Chin State due to the declaration of martial law? May I know your view?A: It depends on the military council. Now the military council turns to airstrikes rather than the ground battle. If the junta’s attack intensifies, your resistance shall be stronger. We have no reason to feel depressed. We have made up our minds to fight till the end whatever the junta is doing. During this year, we will continue to push for a good result in terms of politics and military not only for the junta but also for us throughout the Spring Revolution.Q: Do you have anything to add?A: Throughout history, the military’s martial law is the issuance of a license to kill the public at will. It is not a strange thing. However, the declaration of martial law is not new to us. The declaration of martial law is a threat to the public. It has been many years since the military does the same. However, the junta will threaten the public in the towns where they are stationed. We have controlled the remaining areas. The junta will not advance to those areas if we do strong resistance in terms of military affairs. We have already known that the ground force is weak as the junta is using jet fighters. So, I would like to urge the public to be cautious about it and not to be overly worried.Sent by KMG