28 January 2026 – Residents of Paletwa township, Chin State, are reportedly fleeing en masse to avoid forced recruitment by the Arakan Army (AA).
The AA is compelling locals to participate in a 45-day military training program, according to local sources.
Since November 2025, the AA has been compiling recruitment lists and detaining individuals to enforce participation, initially in Paletwa town and later expanding to surrounding villages. As a result, nearly all local Khumi Chin men and women are attempting to escape forced service.
According to Chin World, the mandatory training targets men aged 14 to 45 and women aged 14 to 35, after which they are required to serve in the military. “The AA has been forcibly rounding people up and detaining them,” a source stated. “Nearly all our youth are fleeing because they do not want to serve.”
A Christian pastor, who requested anonymity, informed the Chinland Guardian that 80 Chin youths arrived near the border last week, having fled the AA military training program. The pastor noted that the youths arrived around 10 pm and were without any of their belongings.
Sources indicate that many Khumi Chin people have sought refuge across the Myanmar border in areas including Mizoram State, India.
Meanwhile, five of the six young Khumi Chin women detained by the Arakan Army (ULA/AA) in Paletwa township, Chin State, have escaped, according to their own accounts. The escapes occurred earlier this week, and one woman is said to remain in detention.
Between November 2025 and January 2026, over 700 people are reported to have fled the region. – Reporting by Ben
