Chin revolutionary groups in and outside of Chin State

After the military junta seized power in 2021, the Chin people began to rise up not only in the nine townships within Chin State but also in areas outside of Chin State where the Chin people reside. Starting from April 4, 2021, the Chinland Defense Forces (CDF) emerged to initiate a resistance movement aimed at dismantling the authoritarian regime and establishing a federal democratic system.

In this way, armed groups in Chin State, including CNF/CNA and ZRO/ZRA, have emerged. However, according to analysts and observers, ZRO/ZRA is collaborating with the military junta. The following Chin revolutionary groups have emerged in and outside of Chin State.

1. Chin National Front / Chin National Army (CNF/CNA)
2. Zomi Revolutionary Organisation/ Zomi Revolutionary Army (Eastern Command) (ZRO/ZRA)
3. Chin National Organization /Chin National Defence Force (CNO/CNDF)
4. Chinland Defense Force-Kalay-Ka Baw-Gangaw (CDF-KKG)
5. Chin Defense Force Mindat (CDF-Mindat)
6. Chin Defence Force Kanpetlet (CDF-Kanpetlet)
7. Chinland Defense Force Matupi (CDF-Matupi)
8. Chinland Defense Force Paletwa (CDF-Paletwa)
9. Chinland Defense Force Hakha (CDF-Hakha)
10. Chinland Defense Force Tonzang (CDF-Tonzang)
11. Chinland Defense Force Thantlang (CDF-Thantlang)
12. Zomi Federal Union/ People Defense Force {ZFU /PDF- Zoland (Tedim / Tonzang)}
13. Chinland Defense Force Daai (CDF- Daai)
14. Chinland Defense Force Mara (CDF- Mara)
15. Chinland Defense Force Zophei (CDF- Zophei)
16. Chinland Defense Force Zotung (CDF-Zotung)
17. Chinland Defense Force Lautu (CDF-Lautu)
18. Chinland Defense Force Hualngo (CDF-Hualngo)
19. Chinland Defense Force- Civic Defense Militia (CDF-CDM “SIYIN”)
20. Asho Chin Defence Force (ACDF)
21. Chinland Defense Force Zanniat (CDF-Zanniat)
22. Chinland Defense Force Senthang (CDF-Senthang)
23. Maraland Territorial Council/Mara Defence Force (MTC-MDF)
24. People Defence Army (PDA)
25. Thado Defence Army (TDF)
26. Chin Defense Force Asho (CDF Asho)

Chin political implications

After the spring revolution began, in April 2021, four groups (Members of Parliament, political parties, CDM/CSOs, armed organizations – CNF) came together to form the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC), which aimed to lead the overall political landscape of Chin State. However, due to differences in perspectives within the organization, on December 7, 2023, the political leadership of Chin State split into two groups. A conference was held under the leadership of the Chin National Front and formed Chinland Council stating that the ICNCC was unable to carry out effective actions for Chin State’s political affairs.

In that conference, it was reported that a total of 135 participants attended, including 13 delegates from the Chin State members of parliament, representatives from the Chin National Front, representatives from district and regional groups, as well as domestic and international guests. It was noted that there were 14 delegates from the parliament participating in the ICNCC, where some CNF and parliamentary representatives had withdrawn. The ICNCC continued under the leadership of the remaining groups, with the armed organization CNF being replaced by the Chin Brotherhood (CB) who did not accept the CNF’s leadership.

The Chin Brotherhood Alliance (CB) was established on December 30, 2023, by the Chin National Council (Mindat), the Chin National Organization (CNO), and the Zomi Federal Union (ZFU), stating that the Chinland Convention, led by the Chin National Front (CNF) and some members of parliament, did not uphold democratic principles and failed to represent the entirety of the Chin people. Subsequently, three additional groups joined the alliance: the Chin Defense Force (Kanpetlet), the Chinland Defense Force (Matupi) Battalion 1, and the Maraland Territorial Council (MTC), increasing its membership to six organizations.

Therefore, in Chin State, political and military rivalries frequently emerge between two groups: the ICNCC and Chin Brotherhood (CB) factions, and the CNF and Chinland Council factions.

As political and military rivalries escalate, military strength within Chin State has also increased, leading to competity capture of towns and military camps in the state. Over three years into the revolutionary period, the influence of the military junta’s administration has gradually diminished across Chin State, while the areas controlled by revolutionary forces have noticeably expanded.

Listed below are the cities controlled by the local revolutionary forces in Chin State and areas inhabited by Chin nationals and the dates on which they were captured.

1. Khampat Town, Tamu township (7th November 2023)
2. Rinkhawdar Town, Falam Township (13th November 2023)
3. Lailenpi Town, Matupi Township (24th November 2023)
4. Rezua Town, Matupi District (29th November 2023)
5. Waibula Town, Falam Township, (30th November 2023)
6. Hnaring Town, Thantlang Township (30th November 2023)
7. Surkhua Town, Hakha Township (30th November 2023)
8. M’kuiimnu Town, Mindat Township (30th November 2023)
9. Paletwa Town (14th January 2024)
10. Samee Town, Paletwa Township (16th January 2024)
11. Tonzang Town (23rd May 2024)
12. Cikha Town, Tonzang Township (23rd May 2024)
13. Matupi Town (29th June 2024)

Based on the above, local defense forces and allied groups have successfully taken control of 13 towns, including Khampat in Tamu Township outside Chin State and towns within Chin State. Out of the 19 towns in Chin State, 12 are now under their control.

However, Paletwa Township remains under the control of the Arakan Army (AA). It is essential for Chin political leaders and AA leaders to engage in discussions and agreements to reclaim the area.

Additionally, two political leadership groups, the ICNCC and the Chinland Council (CC), have emerged within Chin State, creating divisions among the Chin population, political leaders, and the Chin community at large.

During this period, on September 21, 2024, a meeting facilitated by the Mizoram-based Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) was held in Aizawl, Mizoram. The meeting brought together the Chin National Front (CNF) and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC/CB). The two parties agreed to several points, including the following:

• Both parties consented to ZORO’s continued mediation efforts and to engage in further dialogue as necessary.
• Both sides expressed a shared desire to establish a peace committee.
• They agreed to form such a committee during subsequent discussions.

ZORO officially announced that an initial agreement, consisting of five key points, had been reached during the meeting.