“The authorities, told people in Falam town that they will set up the capital of Chin state in Falam if the people in the area support the military regime in the general elections,” said a source in Falam town on condition of anonymity.

“They are persuading members of opposition political parties to withdraw. If they do it the authorities would take all the responsibility including financial assistance,” he added. 

The military authorities are trying various means to halt the movement of opposition groups, not only by putting pressure on Noble Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi party members in Falam but also had formed the Falam Protection Committee, locally termed Falam Peng Humhual Komiti (FPHK) formed in November, 2006. It is said to be made up of a hand-picked group of the junta.  

The so-called protection committee, FPHK, members recently intensified their campaign for the military regime for the next elections in Falam area. Moreover, it was learnt that FPHK is led by Pipi, a former executive member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, No Lian Pum an executive member of the TPDC and Sai Lian Ceu from the Nationalities Unity Party, which is pro-junta.

According to a source in Falam, the authorities had promised to provide financial help to the Nationalities Unity Party which is campaigning to win seats in Falam constituencies in the next election. 

“When FPHK was set up they should have taken the opinion of the majority. It is quite clear what sort of committee it is,” said a veteran politician from the opposition camp in Falam.  

On 7 November 2006, FPHK sent an open letter online addressed to the Chin National Front. The letter alleged that CNF has been threatening the security of the people in Falam and was responsible for the extinction of several villages.  

The letter further warned the CNF to immediately halt collecting tax, stop forcing the people to work as porters to transport ration and refrain from recruiting young locals.  

But the leaders of CNF denied the allegations and said the charges were false.

Since the coup in 1988, military authorities named Hakha as the capital of Chin state and Matupi the second capital.

A source from Falam said, “It was another trick of the regime aiming to create conflict among the people”. - KNG