Since early November 2017, there have been ongoing arm clashes between the Burmese government troops and the Arakanese Army (AA) which is a rebel group claiming fighting for liberation of Arakan State, in southern part of Chin State. The ongoing arm clashes have made many local Chins displaced, and there were also some casualties of innocent Chin villagers.
On November 2nd, 2017, Arakanese Army ambushes the Burmese army patrolling in the region. The arm clashes between battalion No 378 of Burmese military and AA had wide spread near Paletwa Township which is one of the Largest town in Chin State. The AA terrorists ambushed the government troop by the Kalatan river side. The sudden attacked cause some local villagers dead.
The villages around Paletwa namely Kunpin and the near by villages have been badly affected by the battle. The villages ran away from their homes and sought for shelter in the jungle as well as in some other villages. At least 309 villagers have approached to seek refuge at Sinlewa village which is closed to Paletwa town.
The AA have been terrorizing local villagers within Chin State which is not acceptable for the Chins. A local pastor expressed his concerns, “Arakanese Army has to fight the Burmese military in Arankan State if they really want to. Coming into Chin State territory and terrorizing the local Chins is unacceptable crime”.
