The Military Council Union Government has rejected the Chin State Government's plans to relocate Thantlang Town to Dong Village in the border area near India.

According to locals, the Chin State Government was planning to relocate Thantlang Town rather than rebuild it after it was almost completely destroyed, but the Union Government vetoed the idea.

Junta troops have set fire to houses in Thantlang Town on more than 35 occasions this year. The town has been almost completely burned to the ground and nearly the entire population (over 10,000 people) has fled to India, according to one of the few remaining residents.

Dong village is a small border village of just over 250 houses next to Theo Creek near the Myanmar-India border.

A source from Chin State who wishes to remain anonymous said: "The Chin State government has been holding coordination meetings for the reconstruction of Thantlang Town since 30 June. Now it has suggested to the Union Government that a new border city that would increase trade with India could be built instead, but the Union Government has not agreed [with the plan]."