Protestors call for expulsion of Manipuri insurgent groups following murder of female teacher in Chin state

01 December 2019
Protestors call for expulsion of Manipuri insurgent groups following murder of female teacher in Chin state
Protestors take to the streets of Tonzang township in Chin State following recent murder of a female teacher. Photo: Chin World

About 500 protestors took to the streets of Tonzang township in Chin State today to demand action over the murder of a female teacher, controls on insurgent groups, and for apprehending the murder suspect.

Female teacher Dim Lun Mang was found brutally murdered on November 17 in Tuivelzang Village under Tonzang Township of Chin state. The alleged suspect has been named as Binod, 40, who has an Indian father and Myanmar mother, according to Imphal Times. He reportedly shot the teacher over a dispute concerning his daughter, and then fled over the nearby border into India.

Carrying banners, the protestors called for the expulsion of Meitei-Kathe from Manipur, India, who are said to be living illegally in Kabaw Valley and northern Chin State. They called for action against Meitei-Kathe insurgent groups who have bases in the region.

Tensions have been running high since the murder, causing tension between Myanmar and India, with human rights groups raising the issue, and questions raised about the ease at which Meitei-Kathe people from Manipur are able to live and operate on Myanmar soil.

The whereabouts of the murder suspect are unknown. According to Imphal Times, the suspect may have fled to the village in Manipur, India, where his parents live.