(February 1, 2021 – February 1, 2025)

Introduction

February 1, 2025 marks the fourth anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. During these four years, the Myanmar military junta has committed numerous human rights violations, including killings, arson, forced displacement, and other atrocities against the Chin  people living in Chin State and other regions in Myanmar. The following information highlights these violations.

Deaths of Chin people

Over the past four years, a total of 963 Chin people lost their lives due to attacks and shootings by the military junta. Among them, 491 were civilians, and 474 were members of the resistance forces.

At the same time, during this four year period, a total of 474 Chin resistance members (465 males and 9 females) were killed. These young individuals initially participated in peaceful protests against the Myanmar military’s illegal takeover. However, when the Myanmar junta violently cracked down on peaceful demonstrators, these youths were compelled to form resistance groups in various locations to fight against the military regime.

Airstrikes

Between February 1, 2021, and February 1, 2025, the military junta launched 241 airstrikes using attack helicopters and military planes in Chin State, dropping more than 1,061 bombs. As a result of these air attacks:

• 249 Chin people were killed
• More than 424 people were injured
• Over 1,280 houses, 38 government buildings, and 39 religious structures were destroyed

(Note: Airstrikes during a single battle at one location are counted as a single occurrence in our data, and the total number of bombs dropped is specified separately. Transport or supply flights are not included in this count.)

Arson and Destruction of Civilian Homes

The Myanmar junta troops also set fire to or shelled homes in towns and villages suspected of supporting resistance groups in any way. Over four years, a total of 3,479 houses were burned down:

(Note: This data does not include houses destroyed or damaged by air attacks.)

Landmine Casualties

The Myanmar junta troops laid landmines along their attack routes but failed to remove them upon retreat. We were able to collect a list of 77 Chins who were killed and more than 105 people that were injured by landmines.

Displacement of civilians

Since the start of the Spring Revolution, clashes between the military junta and local resistance forces have intensified across Myanmar, including in Chin State. Due to the escalation of urban warfare, civilians have been forced to flee their homes to escape airstrikes and indiscriminate shootings by the junta, arson and destruction of civilian properties, arbitrary arrests and detentions. Many have sought refuge in nearby villages, other towns, and in India.

According to the 2014 census, Chin State had nearly 500,000 residents. Due to the conflict in Myanmar, more than 65,000 Chin refugees have fled to India and around 130,000 people are internally displaced within Chin State and other regions in Myanmar.

Challenges for civilians to return to towns controlled by resistance groups

Out of the 20 towns in Chin State, resistance forces currently control 15 towns, namely, Rihkhawdar, Rizua, Waibula, Hnaring, Surkhua, Paletwa, Samee, Kyindwe, Cikha, Tonzang, Matupi, Lailenpi, M’kuiimnu, Mindat, and Kanpetlet. However, civilians face numerous challenges in returning to these areas. Continuous airstrike threats from the Myanmar junta, destruction of homes and infrastructure, lack of essential services such as education, healthcare, and other basic necessities are making it difficult for them to return and restart normal lives.

For instance, the Chin Brotherhood made an announcement that they were able to take control of Mindat town on December 22, 2024, but the landmine clearance operation was still ongoing, according to the local resistance group (CDF-Mindat). CDF-Mindat had cleared over 200 landmines, but the operation was still ongoing and not yet safe for people to return to their homes, the Chin World media reported. Similarly, the Chin World media reported that although landmine clearance had begun in Matupi town, areas near former junta bases still required further clearance, making it unsafe for the residents to return home.

Thus, the civilians need to wait some more time to return to the towns in Chin State that are now under the control of the local resistance groups.

Conclusion

Over the past four years, countless Chin people have lost their lives due to the military coup. Nearly half of the Chin population has been displaced, leaving behind their homes, jobs, businesses, and livelihoods to flee for safety.

Many homes, painstakingly built with their hard-earned savings, have been burned down or bombed by the military junta.Young people were unable to continue with their education properly for the last four years and displaced civilians face an uncertain future.

There is an urgent need for the Chins and Myanmar people living globally to help and support the basic daily needs of the displaced and affected people. The international community and organizations also need to step up their relief efforts to provide effective aid and assistance.

At the same time, strong international action is necessary to hold the Myanmar military accountable for its violations of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian laws. Only through such measures can the Chin people and all other ethnic groups in Myanmar regain their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Photo: Houses burning in Mindat town, Chin State due to arson by Myanmar junta troops (CDF-Mindat, November 2, 2024)