1 April 2026 – An internally displaced person (IDP) died tragically on 30 March after stepping on a landmine while working as a day laborer on repairs to the heavily contested Tedim-Kalay Road.
The incident occurred near Mualpi village in Tedim township, Chin State.
The victim was identified as 26-year-old Ms. Lia Dim Suan Nem, also known as Di Neam. She was an IDP from Theizang village, Tedim township, and had sought refuge in Khaikam town.
Witnesses reported she was working near the main road to earn a living when the explosion occurred.
“She was from Theizang village and was displaced to the Kalay area,” a local woman confirmed. “People are saying the mine was placed by soldiers who were stationed there previously.” The specific group responsible for planting the explosive device remains unconfirmed.
Following the blast, colleagues and local residents transported the severely injured woman to a nearby public hospital. However, due to the critical nature of her injuries, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The deceased was an IDP, a status reflecting the ongoing conflict and displacement in the region. Her funeral was scheduled to be held on 31 March at the Khaikam Assembly of God (AG) Church, her mother church’s sanctuary.
The Tedim-Kalay Road is a vital thoroughfare in Chin State but has become a flashpoint for intense clashes between the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) troops and various Chin revolutionary forces.
The widespread use of landmines and unexploded ordnance in areas of conflict poses a severe and often fatal threat to civilians, particularly those who, like Ms. Nem, are forced to take on dangerous work to survive.
Since 29 October 2025, a nearby road, the Kalay-Taingen Road, has also been the site of prolonged fighting, forcing the evacuation of all roadside villages and highlighting the escalating danger in the region. – Reporting by Daniel
