During six months from January to June 2023 this year, up to 109 Chin people—50 civilians and 59 members of Chinland Defense Force—were killed by the military council forces, according to the statement by Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA) on July 4.
During more than two and a half years since the military coup, the death of Chin people has been rising due to the military council’s killings. There was a record high of more than 100 deaths of Chin people in six months of 2023, the ICA announced.
Most of the victims are killed by the military council’s airstrikes. Higher death rate is linked to landmines and artillery shelling, an ICA official of ICA said.
“we have to think about what will happen in the remaining six months of 2023. Now the military council is on the offensive. Due to intense fighting, we will have to monitor how the death rate will rise. If the junta don’t use airstrikes, there’s no reason to rise so much. We have to monitor how the international community will continue to take action against the junta for the airstrikes and the excessive use of weapons during the civil war and the destruction of the homes and lives of ordinary civilians,” ICA Assistant Director Salai Van Sui San said.
The civilians killed in the conflict are: 34 men and 16 women while 58 male members of Chinland Defense Force and a female member were also killed, according to the statement.
Due to the military council’s arbitrary killing, 164 Chin people died in 2021 and 195 in 2022 according to the ICA.
During the 23 months from 2021 to 2022, the number of Chin people deaths reached 359.
During six months of 2023, the number of Chin people deaths reached 109, a significant increase in the number of deaths.
The ICA has called on the international community to pay special attention to the ongoing political conflict in Myanmar and take effective action against it.
Sent by KMG