CNI News

17 January  2024

Any organization that performed to destroy lives and properties of the people living in the Shanni region including other public interests would be fought against, the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) stated on 15th January, 2024. 

The SNA stated like that in relation to that some Shanni people from Thanan Village, Tamu Township by the Kuki National Army.

" The SNA is in a friendly relationship with any ethnic group for peaceful coexistence. But it will try to defend any brutal acts such as oppressing Shanni nationalities unjustly and committing human violations on Shanni people. Any organization that performed to destroy lives and properties of the people living in the Shanni region including other public interests would be fought against." said the SNA.

While seeing the statement released by the SNA

The SNA reported that the Kuki National Army (KNA) cruelly killed innocent 37 Shanni people including family and its children from Thanan Village, Aung Zeya Town, Sagaing Region.

Moreover, while Shanni people were taking refuge in San Khat Law Village on the India-Myanmar border line, four Shanni people were cruelly killed on the way back from attending a funeral by the KNA/KNO on 13th January 2024, said in the statement released by the SNA.

" It is an intentional armed terrorist killing of innocent people. Not only the act is inhumane, one race also oppresses another race. It is the killing of Shanni people with the intention of destroying Shanni people with attempted genocide. So, the SNA strongly opposes and denounces the act." said the SNA.

 Because a kind of mass murder like that was nothing short of committing genocide, the KNA and the organizations that help the KNA must be responsible for that, the SNA has warned.

While seeing the KNA, the Kuki Force

The KNA/KNO was built on 24th February 1989 and has been active in the India-Myanmar border, Tonzang Township, Chin State, Khamti, Homalin, Leshi, Myothit and Tamu Townships, Sagaing Region.

The KNA/KNO's allies are the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF) and the KIA mainly supports the arms and ammunitions.

The SNA was built in July, 1989 and it is striving to get the Shanni State, gathering Shanni regions in Kachin State and Sagaing Region. Moreover, it is trying to protect Shanni people from being bullied by regional armed groups as well as to make all ethnic people get equal rights, enjoy regional peace and stability and to build a federal democratic union.

CNI News

17 January 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State Administration Council (SAC) stated as of 15th January, 2024 that Taiwan (China-Taipei) is an inseparable part of China.

Myanmar has always supported the one-China policy, said in the statement.

" Myanmar opposes secession measures for Taiwan independence and measures that interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and support the peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan." the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the SAC stated.

While seeing Lai Ching-te who has become the new Taiwan President 

Myanmar continues to maintain good neighborly and kinship relations with China and reaffirmed that Myanmar is consistently supporting the one-China policy, the ministry stated.

Lai Ching-te, a keen separatist, won the Taiwan presidential election and became the new president. After that, the relation between China and Taiwan has been strained, and China is pressuring Taiwan militarily and economically.

CNI News

17 January 2024

 Rekalibrasi Tenaga Kerja - RTK 2.0 permit stickers will be issued in the end of June at the latest, Malaysian immigration department stated. Undocumented foreign workers were allowed to register for permits in 2023. 

After that, the period designated expired in the end of December, 2023.

So, it was difficult to register at present, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donation Organization, told CNI News.

" You can't register for the time being. Registration period has expired in December 2023. It has not been difficult to enter on a visit visa or to apply for passport after entering through illegal channel. Real permits were made before the end of December 2023. Fake permits are made after the end of December 2023. When fingerprinting, you have to go to the immigration office to get a permit. If you get a permit without going to the immigration department, it is a fake permit." he said.

While Malaysian Immigration Minister come and inspect the RTK 2.0 process

Malaysian Immigration Department has stated that those who have submitted their names in the permit registration list must perform fingerprinting and getting employers' approve in the end of March at the latest. Approving activities will expire in the end of March and any more of extension will be made, the Minister for Immigration has said.

Although the Ministry of Immigration of Malaysia has not released the number of the people who have registered for permit, those who have not registered yet might be 30 percent left in the entire Malaysia, estimated Myanmar people in Malaysia.

" Fingerprinting has been allowed until the end of March. Permit stickers will be issued in the end of June at the latest. But the immigration department might change the laws because all the companies have been allowed to make their employees apply for work permit. The immigration department might not finish their work. Arrests are being conducted almost everywhere, almost every night and in some wards, even in broad daylight." said Ma Chit Thae who stays in Malaysia, told CNI News.

 While an official is issuing RTK 2.0

When applying for permits, those who have passports and employers only can apply. So, among those who have to pay the income tax that Myanmar Embassy has released might be included the people who have currently applied for permits, said Myanmar people in Malaysia.

A Myanmar concert held on Saturday night, 13th January in Penang District, Malaysia was checked by the Malaysian immigration officials, and Myanmar nationals including singer Amy Zahn and Model Phoo Pwint Khine were detained by the hundred.

The arrest was conducted only because the people living in the neighborhood complained about the noise, said Myanmar people in Malaysia.

CNI News

17 January 2024

He requested to reopen the roads and waterways that have been closed due to the battles breaking out in Rakhine State, U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP) told CNI News. 

Because the routes have been closed, the flow of goods has stopped. So, the locals are desperately in need of foodstuff and medicines and Civil organizations have not been able to help the locals yet, he said.

“In Rakhine State, the right to travel, the flow of goods and trade including foodstuff and medicine have been closed by the Tatmadaw. So, the Tatmadaw need to reopen the routes for the flow of goods. There is no situation that civil organizations also can help. The number of IDPs has increased day after day. So, it is necessary to reopen the routes that have been closed as soon as possible." U Thar Tun Hla, said.

While seeing members of the Arakan National Party

After the battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA resumed on 13th November 2023, routes have been closed. The AA stated that it was able to capture Paletwa Town on 14th January 2024.

It was possible that the Tatmadaw had closed the routes according to the security and depending on the battles, it might perform, said a politician. 

Employments have been suspended due to the battles and the people were finding it difficult for their livelihoods, U Nyi Pu, in charge of the Sinbaw Gaing IDP Camp in Mrauk U Township, told CNI News.

While seeing Rakhine IDPs

" There are a lot of difficulties. Now the people have no jobs. There are many IDPs. Moreover, more IDPs will increase. Because the people have no jobs, it's difficult for their livelihoods. A food crisis is taking place. The cultivation area is much less around here. Those who sell rice can't come here because the routes have been closed. The people here have no jobs. The prices of rice have gone up sharply. So, it's very difficult for the livelihoods." he said.

The battles are currently breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu, Ranbye, Myebon, Taung Goat, Thandwe, Maungdaw,Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk U, Ponna Kyun townships, Rakhine State as well as in Paletwa Township.

CNI News

16 January 2024

Because of the battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Paletwa Township, Chin State, residents of Paletwa and locals from the nearby area are fleeing to the India-Myanmar border, said locals. 

The number of IDPs was about 20,000 and 50 percent of them need food, an official from the Chin State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told CNI News.

" Because the battles are breaking out, the locals from Paletwa have to flee to the India-Myanmar border after crossing Kaladan Stream. They are staying in three villages near the bank. no doubt they need food. But how can't we help them. We can't use the road. It would be convenient if the route from the Indian side was open.We want the political and military conflicts to be resolved. For the time being, locals have upland rice, so they can still eat it. There are about 100,000 people in Paletwa Township. There are about 20,000 people in and around Paletwa. About 10,000 people are getting into trouble now." he said.

while seeing Paletwa Town

The number of locals in and around Paletwa who fled to safety as IDPs have increased lately. Moreover, residents of Sami Town have fled to safety and there are old people and children left in the town, said locals. Palatwa was also almost destroyed due to heavy artillery fire, they said.

Because the battles resumed, the number of IDPs has increased more than 2015-2016 when the battles broke out, U Aung Din, a Paletwa resident, told CNI News.

" In 2015-2016, battles broke out in villages only. But now battles have arrives in towns, so it's getting worse. Especially, unmarried young men and women have fled to safety because they don't dare to live in the town anymore. And then their parents also have fled. About ten days ago, the price of rice didn't go up. But any goods coming from lower parts and Ngapi, dried fish, eggs, onion and edible oil coming from Rakhine State - their prices have gone up." he said.

While seeing residents of Shinletwa Village in Paletwa Township

It is reported that food supply and aid activities cannot be carried out due to tight security, traffic restriction and road closures when battles are breaking out.

Some Paletwa residents who can afford are fleeing to Yangon through the smuggling route, spending 1,000,000 kyats per person reportedly.

CNI News

16 January 2024

Questions and discussions in relation to whether the SAC accepts putting Hopang and Pan Lon in Shan State under the United Wa State Army (UWSA)'s administration are being conducted among political circles.

After the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) attacked Hopang on 5th January, the UWSA deployed its troops in the town. After that, the UWSA controlled Pan Lon that is about 20 miles away from Hopang. 

The State Administration Council (SAC) had no objection about the UWSA's control over Hopang and Pan Lon because they had been the UWSA's territories since before, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Hopang and Pan Lon are two Wa townships omitted from Wa region because General Khin Nyunt's regime didn't grant Wa the state level. But according to military situation of the northeastern region that changed, the Myanmar National democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) handed over Hopang and Pan Lon to the UWSA. The SAC has no reason to object it because it is consistent with a real situation, I think." he said.

While seeing the UWSA officials who will administer Hopang and Pan Lon

After demanding the Union Government to give the two townships to the UWSA, the SAC agreed to hand over Hopang and Pan Lon to the UWSA on 4th January 2024, the Wa State TV stated on 13th January.

Hopang and Pan Lon that were under the Tatmadaw's control in the past were handed over to the UWSA, holding the ceremony on 10th and 11th January, it stated. However, the SAC did not release anything about handing over Hopang and Pan Lon to the UWSA.

Putting the two townships under the UWSA's administration has kind of broken the perpetuality of sovereignty, U Thet Zaw, a political commentator, told CNI News.

" As a citizen, I don't like putting these townships under the UWSA's administration because it has kind of broken the perpetuality of sovereignty among the Our Three Main Causes. We'll have to re-take the townships at one time or another. Different administrations like this isn't systematic, I think. We'll have to designate self administered regions only after the constitution is amended." he said.

According to the 2008 constitution, Hopang, Mongmao Panwai, Nahpan, Matman and Pangkham Townships have been designated as the Wa Self-Administered Division, grouping into two districts.

CNI News
January 15, 2024

The Kuki National Army (KNA) arrested and killed four Shanni people who returned from attending to the funeral of an old Shanni woman, an IDP, on 13th January, said locals.

Due to the battles breaking out near the India-Myanmar border, Shanni people fled to San Khat Law Village that has been built on the India-Myanmar border line.

" The Kuki-Chin force arrested and killed four Shanni men who returned from attending the funeral of an old woman, an IDP. It's not clear why. Moreover, in November 2023, the Kuki Force arrested and killed 37 Shanni people. Among them were included all the family members including children." said a resident of Thanan Village.

While seeing Shanni IDPs from Thanan Village

Four residents of Thanan Village around 40 years of age - Say Myo Aung, Say Phoe Too, Say Phoe Ni and Say San Myint- they were arrested and killed by the Kuki Force on the way back from attending to a funeral of an old Shanni woman, an IDP. The Kuki force arrested and killed 37 Shanni people on 24th November 2023.

Thanan Village is included in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region and the Tamu People's Defense Force, the KNA/KNO, the Tatmadaw and the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) have been active militarily in that township.

The battles break out every so often between the Tatmadaw and PDF/KNA joint forces in the township.

CNI News
13 January 2024

The basic foodstuff which arrived in Sittwe, Rakhine State will be sold to the people at reasonable prices, said the Office of the Government of Rakhine State.

The MV MoonLight Ship which carried about 4,000 tons of a variety of goods including gasoline, palm oil, chilli, onion, basic foodstuff and medicines arrived in Sittwe 9th January with the arrangement of the Rakhine State government.

There are the territory controlled by the Tatmadaw and the territory controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State. It was less likely that The basic foodstuff that has arrived in Sittwe would be sold to the people outside Sittwe City, Ko Zaw Tun, a resident of Mrauk U, told CNI News.

" It will be less likely that these basic foodstuffs will reach other towns except for Sittwe. In fact, if they want the people to be convenient, all the roads and waterways must be re-opened. They seem to want to show that the people only in the places that they have already controlled are convenient. The military council doesn't seem to want to give the foodstuff to other places." he said.

While the motorcycles are waiting in line to get the foodstuff and fuel that recently arrived in Rakhine State

Although CNI News asked U Hla Thein, spokesperson of the state government, how the basic foodstuff arrived on 9th January, he gave no answer.

However, Chief Minister of Rakhine State U Htain Lin said at a meeting held on 8th January that the goods would be directly delivered into the hands of consumers. Moreover, fuel would be systematically sold in order that it could be used for long to an extent, he added.

The Directorate of Road Transport was selling fuel with the quota system in Sittwe, Daw Khin Myo, a resident of Sittwe, told CNI News.

 While seeing the Government of Rakhine State

" I heard that 92/95 gasoline will be sold two litre per week to licensed motorcycles and five litres per week to the three-wheel motorcycles. At present, I heard that so many people are waiting in line at the Directorate of Road Transport. If the products are distributed to the consumers without letting a lot of products arrive in the hands of traders, we may reach the normal situation, I think." she said.

The officials from the Rakhine State Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Rakhine State Oil Mill Entrepreneurs Association, the Rakhine State Fuel Entrepreneurs Association and the Sittwe Myoma Market Committee have discussed how to sell currently arrived products to consumers at lower prices and to import any more of products.

The battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) starting from 13th November 2023 and all the roads and waterways in Rakhine State have been closed by the SAC for about two months.

CNI News

12 January 2024

Tamu locals are finding it difficult to go to Moreh in order to sell goods due to the ongoing communal conflict in Manipur Province, India, according to Tamu locals. 

They go to Moreh in order to sell regionally produced goods and consumer goods and import Indian textiles from Moreh. 

However, at present, Indian army is strictly checking in Moreh and although it is convenient for those who can speak Indian language, ordinary Tamu locals are finding it difficult, Ko Min Ko who is buying and selling goods in Tamu Town and Moreh Town, told CNI news agency.

" For the time being, it's convenient for Chin and Hindi people who live in both Moreh and Myanmar. They can speak Indian language. Ordinary Myanmar people are not okay. Basic workers in Tamu are in trouble. Some go to Moreh to sell goods, taking risk. Some buy vegetables in Tamu and go to IDP villages and sell them. Almost everyone gets into trouble." he said.

While people are going and coming on the Tamu-Moreh border crossing bridge

The Tamu-Moreh border gate is the main path that is used to export Myanmar goods to India. 70 percent of Tamu locals are depending on the Tamu-Moreh border trade and a lot of people are crossing the border daily. Because Tamu locals trade with Moreh and they also do freight, they are finding it difficult at present reportedly.

Moreover, because of difficult transportation, Tamu residents can only go to Moreh and sell goods every three days, Ko Ye Lin Aung, a Tamu resident, told CNI News.

" We can't go to Moreh everyday. The goods from Kalay Town, from Mountains and from Chin mountains can't reach here everyday because the roads have been closed. Only when groceries and vegetables reach, we can go to Moreh every three days. For the time being, it's not possible any more for us to stay in Moreh temporarily." he said.

Because the battles are breaking out along the Kalay-Tamu road, the trade routes have been blocked. So, commodity prices are going up in Tamu and it is difficult to buy some goods. Moreover, construction work and transportation business also have been suspended reportedly.

When the battles broke out in Tamu in the past, some Myanmar people entered India as IDPs. Now India are sending them back to Myanmar.