Aizawl: Two Myanmar-based rebel groups have merged to form a new body in a meeting held recently in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl, sources said.
The two pro-democracy rebel groups from Myanmar are the Chinland Council, and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC).
The rebel groups have recently signed a merger agreement in the presence of Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma and local leaders in Aizawl.
The merger agreement for cessation of hostilities between the two factions, who have been fighting the military junta in the neighbouring country, was signed on February 26.
The two groups merged to form a single entity known as Chin National Council (CNC), members of the rebel groups and officials at the Mizoram CM’s office confirmed.
Representatives from the Chinland Council’s armed wing, the Chin National Army, and the ICNCC’s Chin Brotherhood, were also present, sources said.
Mizoram legislator Lalmuanpuia Punte, who is also the political adviser to the chief minister, said that it was on the behest of the ministry of external affairs (MEA) that the CM made efforts to unite the factions of Chin armed groups.
“Security threat on Indian side of Mizoram looms if political situation in Chin state is unstable, uniting factions of the Chin armed forces has been for long in our radar, unified, I believe the Chin resistance will reach new heights in deposing the military rule,” Punte said.
The armed wings of the two groups are currently discussing strategies for building a “unified Chin resistance force” to defend Chin state against Myanmar’s military regime.
A member of the Aizawl-based Advocacy Group for Peace said the merger came after the Mizoram CM facilitated peace talks between the rebel Chin factions in Myanmar at the request of the MEA.
Notably, Mizoram MP K. Vanlalvena visited the camp and offices of the Chinland Council, a rebel outfit controlling parts of north-west Myanmar in areas bordering India, last week.
He said that he had invited them to join the Union of India, given that there is no official government in Myanmar, and that there is a shared tribal bond on both sides of the border.
Vanlalvena, who visited Camp Victoria, said any misunderstandings between the Chin groups should be amicably sorted out through dialogues and not by using force.
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Camp Victoria is the military headquarters of the Chin National Front (CNF)/Chin National Army (CNA) in Myanmar. The Chinland Council also houses its headquarters in Camp Victoria.
Since the military takeover in Myanmar, Mizoram has sheltered over 30,000 refugees and pro-democracy activists, including ministers, MPs, and police personnel.
