Two religious leaders were reportedly injured when a landmine detonated at a primary school compound in Rezua Town’s Myoma Ward, in Matupi Township, Chin State, at about 4:40 pm on 2 April.

The military regime announced that 37-year-old Romeo and 43-year-old Tain Zar Lian, two religious leaders from InRaw ward, were injured by a terrorist land mine.

“Nothing to do with this incident is related to the Chin Defence Force, who they [the military regime] accuse of being a terrorist group. Junta troops from Matupi were stationed at the school and they planted the mines for their own safety. When they went to their next destination, they did not clear them. That is why two pastors were injured at the school compound. I have just heard that one of them had to have his leg amputated, but I can’t guarantee this information [is accurate]”, said a local resident.

He believes that the local defence forces are being wrongly blamed for the blast.

“It is wrong to accuse the Civilian Defence Force (CDF). In fact, a month ago junta troop reinforcements for the fighting in Rezua arrived and they were the only ones who were ever stationed at the school. Also, in general, there are no longer any CDFs in Rezua. I tell you, they [the junta troops] definitely planted those landmines”, he added.

According to reports, the whole town of Rezua has fled to Mizoram State in neighbouring India because the fighting in the town between the junta forces and local allied forces including the CDF has become too intense.