3 June 2026 – A tragic incident has claimed the life of a displaced student, identified as 19-year-old Ling Naing, who drowned while swimming in the Lungvaichang Stream near Leitak (B) village, Thantlang Township, on the afternoon of 2 June 2026.
Ling Naing, a native of Ngon Laung village in Kanpetlet Township, had been attending school in Leitak village, having sought refuge there after being forced to flee his home due to ongoing military operations.
According to local accounts, Ling Naing and a group of peers had traveled from Hnaring to Leitak earlier that day. Shortly after their arrival, they headed to the Lungvaichang Stream at approximately 3:00 p.m. to bathe.
The outing took a devastating turn when Ling Naing fell into a deep section of the water. Despite his friends’ immediate attempts to seek help from nearby villagers and subsequent recovery efforts, the teenager could not be revived.
Local reports indicate that an attempt was made to rush him to a medical facility, but he succumbed before arrival.
The loss has reverberated through the displaced community. Ling Naing was the son of Mr. Naing Thang and Mrs. Hnu Om. At the time of reporting, community leaders had yet to establish contact with his parents, who are themselves displaced and currently sheltering in Kanpetlet Township due to the worsening security situation in the region.
The conflict in Chin State continues to severely impact civilians, particularly the youth whose education and safety have been upended by military hostilities. Reports from mid-2026 highlight intense conflicts, including heavy airstrikes in towns like Kanpetlet and Matupi, which have caused significant damage to civilian property and forced widespread displacement across the region.
In the wake of this tragedy, Leitak village residents, church pastors, and community leaders have stepped forward to handle funeral arrangements, with his burial scheduled for 3 June 2026. – Reporting by Daniel
