Leader of Information Team of State Administration Council Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun answers the question about the fire that broke out in Thantlang, Chin State
Nay Pyi Taw October 30
Many houses were burnt down by the fire that broke out in Thantlang, Chin State at 10 am on 29 October. The social media network stated that the fire was caused by the Tatmadaw heavy weapon rounds.
At 5 pm today, the Leader of the Information Team of State Administration Council Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun answered the media question about the fire by phone.
“As I have mentioned earlier, the destructive media are again making groundless accusations, and they are distributing them broadly through the social media network. In fact, a combined security team of Tatmadaw and Myanmar Police Force (MPF) taking the security duty around Thantlang were patrolling in the town at about 11.45 am on 29 October. When the patrol arrived at No 1 Ward, which can be said the town centre, a terrorist group by the name PDF attacked the security troops with three homemade mines and small arms from the roadside. Hence, the security troops fired back. PDF members then retreated under the cover of residential buildings. While fleeing, they torched four buildings to stop security troops from pursuing them. One security personnel fell during the firefight. After chasing the terrorist away, more security troops arrived there to put the fire out. But the PDF took homes as a cover shot at security troops and the relevant service personnel who were going to extinguish the fire. As there was no one to put out the fire it continued. It was not committed by the Tatmadaw. PDF terrorists fired on security teams and when they fled they torched buildings so that pursuing troops might not trail them. On 21 this month, PDF blew up a bridge on Thantlang and Haka as a means to cut off transport links to the former. It was so obvious and also food for thought. They plotted it in advance. We can see the video files of destructive media on the network. The link between Haka and Thantlang was cut off. PDF fired on security members and service personnel who were going to extinguish the burning fire, from hideouts.
So, it was a plot made in advance.
Normally, MPF and Tatmadaw were mostly at the places they were posted. They conducted patrols in the town only if there was a situation. PDF terrorists also took residential homes and residents as their cover in the town. They always torched the places from where they retreated. Three or four days ago, the so-called minister of the NUG terrorist group, who always advocated terrorism in the presence of media, said that PDF could freely move in Chin State and Sagaing Region as Tatmadaw could not control the areas anymore.
This conversation proved that PDF was committing arson attacks using people as the human shield.
I would like to inform people that Tatmadaw is releasing news about the terrorist attacks of the PDF terrorist group. People should know that the terrorists have now reached the level of destroying towns, villages, roads and
bridges and burning down public property to get cover for them. So, I would urge the people to oppose the terrorist acts, to join forces with security forces and take part in ensuring peace and security of their places.