Chin protests against fighting in ethnic areas in Burma

17 October 2016 — Thousands of people took to the streets in Chin State today, staging peaceful protests against continued fighting in ethnic areas in Burma.

The mass demonstrations with participants including women and elderly demanded an immediate end to conflict in areas such as Kachin, Karen and Shan States.

Pu Ral Kham, a community leader, said at the Hakha event: “We are here to show our solidarity with our ethnic brothers and sisters, and friends. As we stand here, they are in tears and despair; they are homeless, worried and suffering from the fighting. We want this to stop now and want peace in the country.”

The Monday events urged the Burma Army to stop its offensive in Burma’s ethnic states and the Union government to take immediate action to find solutions and bring peace.
Sporadic fightings continue in ethnic areas under the new government led by the National League for Democracy, prompting questions over the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her ruling party.

“We thought we are in peace or at least going towards peace. But the Burma Army keep fighting against ethnic people. We are very worried. We don’t want fighting any more in our country. We want the army to stop fighting and start building peace together with our government,” said Ms Cer, of the Chin women’s organization, who took part in the
protest.

They were carrying placards and banners with some reading ‘We need peace’, ‘Stop Myanmar army offensive’ as they shouted slogans demanding the Burma Army to stop civil war and the successful implementation of the peace process.

In August this year, the NLD had led organizing the 21st Panglong Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw.

Today’s protests took place in Hakha, Thantlang and Falam towns.#