20 December 2025 – The State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) has deliberately cut off access roads to Hakha town using excavators in the days leading up to the scheduled elections.
Local sources confirm that routes connecting Hakha from Phai and Khuabe villages were destroyed on Thursday, 18 December, and another route from Hniarlawn village was severed earlier this month.
The action is widely viewed as an attempt to restrict the movement of Hakha residents as the voting date approaches.
A community leader, speaking to the Chinland Guardian on condition of anonymity, stated that the SSPC has completely isolated the town, preventing both entry and exit. “This action is consistent with their past behavior. However, if the military authorities genuinely seek to build public trust, this is not the way to treat their own people. This mindset and these actions will certainly alienate voters,” the source commented.
In addition to the destroyed minor routes, the three main roads into the town—Hakha-Gangaw, Hakha-Matupi, and Hakha-Kalay—are controlled by military checkpoints at the entrance.
Another Hakha resident, who also requested anonymity, explained that people often attempt to bypass these official checkpoints “primarily due to security concerns and the high fees demanded by the security guard soldiers. Motorbike users, in particular, will try to avoid the hassles, interrogations, and high fees imposed by the soldiers.”
Furthermore, local SSPC authorities are reportedly forcing Hakha residents to cast advance votes at the ‘government complex.’ The first phase of the elections is currently scheduled for 28 December 2025.#
