15th May, 2021 #day104

The junta troops launched attacks against civilians and local militias, the Chinland Defence Force-Mindat, in Chin State's Mindat since 7 am today. The junta reportedly sent about 1000 troops and fired 50 to 60 artillery shells into the town until 3pm this evening forcing the CDF to retreat from the town, the Mindat People's Administrative Group told VOA. The Irrawaddy reports that heavy artillery shelling was also carried out from the military base in Kyaukhtu, Magway Region, about 18 miles from Mindat. This small town with a few thousands of Chin people is under siege now. The MPAG announced on social media that 15 locals were arrested today and Battalion 274 entered the town using them as human shields. According to the latest information from local media, about five CDF members have been killed in the last 48 hours. The exact number of dead and wounded is not yet known to the public, but anyone leaving their homes has been shot and has not been allowed to receive medical treatment. According to Chin State-based Zalen Media, the army is now conducting house-to-house inspections in the town and arresting all the males, forcing locals to flee into the jungle.

The Chin Human Rights Organization issued a warning that the junta troops are committing war crimes in Mindat, which is under martial law. The NUG also called for immediate international intervention as Mindat is turning into a battlefield within 48 hours and possible massive displacement. The British embassy in Myanmar said they are aware of the violence in Mindat and urged to send evidence of atrocities to the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM). The US Embassy in Myanmar condemned the use of weapons against the civilians in Mindat. Netizens claimed that the junta has increasingly oppressed using heavy weaponry in Mindat as the CDF set fire to six military vehicles during yesterday's shooting and seized weapons. Netizens are also disappointed that no action had been taken by the NUG and nearby towns except Kanpetlet which is a few miles away from Mindat.

The Chinland Defense Force - Hakha announced yesterday that they arrested four people: three traffic policemen and an informer in Hakha, Chin State. A member of the group told the Irrawaddy that they demanded the exchange of detainees and that their lives would not be held responsible if the junta did not comply by tonight. Two youths under the age of 16 were abducted by the junta troops during a protest in Hakha yesterday. The military-appointed election commission announced that commission will hold meeting with political parties for the second time on May 21. The commission's director Khin Maung Oo told VOA that they sent invitation to more than 90 parties including the NLD to discuss about a proportional electoral system. However, the military council has arrested almost all of the NLD's central executive committee and designated the CRPH and NUG as terrorist organizations.

According to Freedom News Group, a fire broke out at Shwebo Municiple Market, the largest in Shwebo, Sagaing Region, on May 15 at around 2:30 am. The market is close to the fire station, but firefighters were threatened by the junta troops not to put out the blaze, according to witnesses. The Shwebo People's Defence Force said in a statement that the junta and its associates had deliberately set the fire and many shop owners lost their belongings in the fire, Mizzima reported. According to DVB, six bombs were found on May 14 at a high school in Yangon’s Kamaryut Township.

In Bhamo, Kachin State, a Catholic priest was abducted on the evening of May 14, according to DVB. A source close to him said that he was arrested for helping CDM civil servants. According to DVB, the junta suspended 219 CDM teachers in Mudon, Mon State due to unauthorized absence. VOA reports that Yuki Kitazumi, a Japanese journalist arrested on April 18, has been deported by the junta and now returned to Japan on May 14. So far, more than 80 journalists have been arrested by the junta, and at least 45 are still being held, most of them charged under Section 505 (a).