24 March 2026 — The Commander-in-Chief of the Chinland Defence Force-Tonzang (CDF-Tonzang), Thang Suan Mung, has demanded the immediate return of weapons and equipment seized by the Zomi Revolutionary Army-Eastern Command (ZRA-EC) during a raid on a People’s Defence Army (PDA) camp in Tonzang township.
In a statement issued on 24 March 2026, CDF-Tonzang also called on the ZRA-EC to halt further incursions into territory controlled by forces aligned with the Chinland Council (CC). It warned that failure to comply would provoke a strong response from revolutionary forces under the Council.
The raid took place on the morning of 22 March 2026 at a PDA camp located between Tedim and Tonzang townships. According to CDF-Tonzang, ZRA-EC troops seized 14 guns, communication equipment, and a drone along with its warheads.
This latest incident adds to longstanding tensions between various Chin and Zomi armed groups operating in northern Chin State. CDF-Tonzang and allied factions under the Chinland Council, including the Chin National Army (CNA), control much of Tonzang township and have been engaged in governance efforts, such as local administrative projects and land development initiatives.
The ZRA-EC, which has bases linked to Manipur in India and operates primarily in the Tedim-Tonzang-Cikha area, has previously clashed with these groups.
Reports indicate mutual accusations where CDF-Tonzang and allies have alleged collaboration between the ZRA-EC and the junta’s State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC, formerly SAC), while the ZRA-EC has described its actions as responses to alleged abuses, extortion, or territorial encroachments by opposing factions.
Separately, the ZRA-EC reported intense clashes on 25 February 2026 involving a combined column of CNA, PDA, and CDF forces in Tonzang township.
Background context
Chin State has seen significant resistance activity against Myanmar’s military junta since the 2021 coup, with anti-junta forces expelling regime troops from large parts of the state. However, certain factional divisions persist between the Chinland Council (led by the CNA and allied local defence forces like CDF-Tonzang) and other groups, including those in the Chin Brotherhood Alliance and Zomi-oriented factions such as the ZRA-EC.
Tonzang township, near the India-Myanmar border, has been a recurring flashpoint for intra-ethnic clashes over territory, resources, and political influence. Past incidents include ZRA raids on CDF camps in 2023 that resulted in casualties and seizures of equipment.
Broader allegations in the region have included involvement in opium trade, forced recruitment, and civilian complaints against various armed actors.
These internal divisions risk weakening the overall resistance against the junta, even as groups like the Chinland Council advance local governance structures in controlled areas.
No independent verification of the latest claims was immediately available, and the situation in Tonzang remains fluid amid ongoing rivalries. – Reporting by Daniel
