21 May 2026 – Following the recent capture of Tonzang town, the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) announced yesterday that residents will be notified soon when they are permitted to return and resettle.
The announcement, issued by the ZRA Executive Committee, urged locals to maintain peace, avoid cooperation with armed groups, and prioritize community reconciliation.
Tonzang, a vital town bordering India’s Manipur State and a key supply route, was secured by ZRA and State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) joint forces on 20 May, ending a nearly two-year control by local allied forces.
The offensive, which began on 15 May, involved an estimated 800 combined SSPC and ZRA-Eastern Command (ZRA-EC) troops. The joint operation is reportedly part of the SSPC’s broader “100-day plan” to regain control of resistance-held areas.
The ZRA had previously attempted and failed to seize the town in an attack in April 2025, and reporting from late 2025 indicated that the junta had been supplying the ZRA with weapons to prepare for the Tonzang operation.
The ZRA’s appeal for reconciliation specifically targeted divisions between Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and Non-CDM communities. Furthermore, it urged people to refrain from divisive ethnic rhetoric involving groups such as Sim, Zo, Teizang, Dim, Khuano, Sihzang, and Thado.
In preparation for the return of displaced civilians, local political bodies, including the Zomi National Party (ZNP), have started consulting with residents about reopening essential services, such as government offices, schools, and hospitals, which have been suspended due to conflict for nearly two years.
ZNP MP Pau Lun Min Thang has also provided food aid to over 300 displaced people preparing to return to Tedim from Kalay town. With the retaking of Tonzang, the SSPC now controls four of Chin State’s nine townships: Hakha, Tedim, Falam, and Tonzang. – Reporting by Danial
