Aung Kyaw Nyein, Narinjara News, 8 April, 2025

The Arakan Army (AA) has returned 21 displaced villages to their original locations in Paletwa Township, Chin State; however, they require assistance in clearing landmines and leftover weapons in these areas. 

Among these villages, Abaung Thar village was relocated on April 3 and currently has 11 households, with a population exceeding 50, as reported by locals. 

Ko Kyaw Kyaw Min from Abaung Thar village in Paletwa Township stated, “Given that this region has experienced confrontations between the military council and AA members, we are concerned about the dangers of landmines and leftover explosives. We are concerned about encountering mines while going to the fields. AA carries out mine awareness programs for individuals in Paletwa. However, just being aware is insufficient; we must take action to clear the mines. At this moment, we are going to the fields in fear." 

AA permitted and resettled another 20 villages by the end of 2024, but local residents who returned home are concerned about landmines, as reported by locals. 

A resident of Paletwa Township mentioned, “It has been quite a while since around 20 villages were relocated." This month, only the village of Abaung Thar was resettled. I'm glad to have returned to my village and homeland, but we kindly ask AA to remove the landmines from these areas.” 

Narinjara News is aware of the list of 21 villages that have been resettled, but it is unable to publish this list because of worries regarding airstrikes by the military council.  

The inhabitants of the relocated villages are individuals who have been forced to leave due to the conflict between the AA and the military council in Paletwa Township since 2019. 

As they escaped, the military council also set fire to and demolished numerous homes in these villages. 

Even though the villagers have been relocated and permitted to inhabit their lands, they are concerned about the risks posed by the unexploded ordnance left by the military council in their fields. 

The AA initiated an assault on Paletwa Township in Chin State on November 13, 2023, and successfully took control of it on January 14, 2024.