Interview Salai Htet Ni, the spokesperson for Chin National Front (CNF)
Myanmar’ junta regime conducted airstrikes on the headquarters of Chin National Front (CNF) on 10 and 11 January. It caused the deaths of CNF members, and damages of some buildings and clinic for civilians.
In this interview with Salai Htet Ni, the spokesperson for Chin National Front (CNF), talked about why the junta dropped bombs over CNF headquarters, the response of CNF to this attack and the total area under the military control in China State in Spring Revolution.
TLT: What is the response of Chin National Front to the military’s air raid?
Salai Htet Ni: The junta is conducting airstrikes on the ethnic areas across the country. They also destroy public property. However, we are reconstructing our buildings while we are fighting. It is not strange to us. Our buildings are just makeshift structures suitable for the revolutionary period. We have used movable, adjustable and flexible building materials for many years.
TLT: What is your view on why the military conducted airstrikes on CNF’ headquarters?
Salai Htet Ni: Their first target is ethnic armed organizations which stand for the public in the Spring Revolution. Territory dominance is important for the regime to hold illegitimate elections scheduled this year. However, our people’s defense forces are taking footholds in many areas of the country. We jointly fight against the regime troops. So, the military cannot control some areas. We are also included in their target as we do not make their ceasefire agreement or joined their peace talks with them.
Our ethnic armed organization is comprised with people’s defense forces, local guerrillas and the affiliated groups related to Spring Revolution and the National Unity Government. As the junta troops have no ground combat capacity to control our headquarters-cum- defense basic training camp for PDF, they conducted brutal airstrikes there.
It does not matter at all if they attacked only armed groups. However, they are deliberately destroying public property. The are committing terror attacks.
TLT: Why CNF joined the Spring Revolution?
Salai Htet Ni: Spring Revolution has turned into armed struggle of our national people who later joined the ethnic armed organizations. The revolution started with peaceful protests and striking kitchen utensils against the coup regime. Their objective is to root out military dictatorship and build up a federal democracy Union. We have signed agreement with NUG. The CNF expressed our opposition just a day after the coup. At this time, political dialogue and ceasefire cannot resolve ongoing crisis in Myanmar. As Spring Revolution is the nationwide movement, this crisis could not be addressed by the military and EAOs through dialogue. We have no more trust in Nationwide Ceasefire agreement. All the stakeholders need to tackle the ongoing crisis inclusively. And that, the military regime’s propaganda words such as ‘sustainability of Myanmar politics to win international recognition are just for their interest. Its dialogue and ceasefire plans are totally unacceptable.
TLT: To what extent the resistance forces have controlled Chin State in Spring Revolution?
Salai Htet Ni: There are 9 townships in Chin State at present. The local defense force and CNF have formed the Chinland Joint Defense Committee (CJDC). The junta administration is effective only in the towns, not in rural and remote areas. All the civilians have left Htantalang Township where the junta troops made arson attacks. Both junta troops and our forces are taking position there. Our resistance forces have controlled over 70 percent of Chin State. Significantly, rural population in Chin State is higher than, as comparted to its urban population.
TLT: Have you prepared for future military’s air raids? How do you alert civilians to possibility of junta’s airstrike?
Salai Htet Ni: We have told the civilians about safe areas from military’s airstrike and the needs of basic food items, and how to get prior information about the attacks. We need to have an exact timing. They do not know the route and direction of jet fighters. And they have been told to keep contact with us. This defensive plan is required across the country, not only in Chin State. So, we are monitoring the routes of military jet fighters in collaboration with PDF and NUG forces to escape from them.
TLT: The military junta has announced that entire 2023 is the year of ceasefire. However, they are still dropping bombs over headquarters of EROs. What is your view on it?
Salai Htet Ni: People across the country have known it. It is not strange to all, and it is undeniable. They have already set conditions for ceasefire. If the ethnic armed forces failed to observe their orders in instructions, the military will conduct attacks. This practice has been placed for more than 70 years. The CNF signed NCA and joined political dialogues. It is very regrettable that they do not keep up their promises. The military recently made airstrike on a major of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army which is a signatory of NCA. It is concrete evidence. Therefore, the reality of their ceasefire and political dialogue is depended on them. Although they voiced these issues, we would have different views and interest. The brutal acts of military are unacceptable for Myanmar people,
TLT: What is your additional remark on the Spring Revolution?
Salai Htet Ni: The Spring Revolution is the all-out war of ethnic armed organizations and local guerilla groups such as people’s defense force and the Chinland Defense Force. If we could not complete our political objectives, our expectation will never realize. We have made absolute determination to reach our goal. We may face many challenges in the future. We have experienced my difficulties. Nevertheless, we will not deviate from our goal. We have already forecast their strategies, and we will keep on fighting in the Spring Revolution.
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