Mindat falls to Myanmar Army, Resistance withdraws

Myanmar's military has finally taken control of the small town of Mindat in the country's western Chin state, after three weeks of savage fighting.

The local militia Mindat Defense Force (MDF) says its fighters have retreated from the town in nearby hills after three weeks of brave resistance.

MDF spokesman "John" told IANS that Myanmar military troops entered the town on Sunday evening using villagers as shields.

"How can we shoot at our own people? The Tatmadaw (military) had taken many villagers hostage from areas around Mindat and put them in front of their advancing columns. That is when our leaders decided to withdraw from the town," said John, who has refused to disclose his full name because his family was left behind at Mindat.

Nearly 300 to 350 local Chins had joined the MDF three weeks ago to stop the Tatmadaw from entering the town.

The army was forced to use helicopters to bring in troop reinforcements, as at least three of its road convoys were ambushed.

Later, it started pounding the town with artillery fire.

Local residents in Mindat set up what they called a People's Administration Team, stating that they did not recognise the authority of the military government.

Last week, the government declared martial law in the town. It has described those defying its authority there as terrorists, and says it will set up a military tribunal to put on trial those responsible for attacks on the security forces.

The defense at Mindat has become the symbol of resistance, initially peaceful but now armed as well to the February 1 military takeover.

The crisis caused by the takeover has now snowballed into a full scale civil war with large ethnic rebel armies like Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) and Karen National Union (KNU) reneging on ceasefire they had maintained with Aung Saan Suu Kyi's NLD government.

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