2009 KNG News
Up one levelAll News that covered the year 2009.
Some villages could not celebrate Christmas because of famine
January 7, 2009: Some villages in Chin state could not celebrate Christmas 2008 because of famine, caused by bamboo flowering.
Authorities restrict maize and bean transport to Mizoram
January 8, 2009: The Immigration Department at the Indo-Myanmar border trade no. 2 gate has stopped all maize and bean items from being transported to Mizoram. These come from Kalemyo, Sagaing Division, Chin state.
Chin falls from bridge and dies
January 14, 2009: A Chin, Siangthanluai (33) hailing from Cer Hmun village, Chin state and working in Aizawl, Mizoram state, Northeast India fell from a bridge on New Year's Day and died. He was a wood cutter.
Chinese digging for nickel and uranium in Mwe Taung
January 14, 2009: A Chinese company has been constructing roads even as it digs for nickel and uranium in the mountains of Mwe Taung in Chin state, Myanmar.
FIR costs Kyat 30,000
January 19, 2009: To lodge a FIR and file a lawsuit one has to pay at least Kyat 30,000 to a police station in Chin state, western Myanmar.
Transport fares high on Indo-Myanmar border trade road
January 19, 2009: Transportation costs are still high on the Indo-Myanmar border trade no. 2. Traders said vehicle fares and transportation charges are still high on the Tiau-Tidim-Kalemyo Road at Kyat 10,000 per passenger from Tiau to Kalemyo.
Locals caught between Indian border force security force and rebels
January 20, 2009: Chin people are facing a lot of problems because the Indian border security force (BSF) has launched an operation against insurgents in the Indo-Myanmar, Manipur and Chin state – Tonzang border road areas.
Burmese military junta seize 100 acres for tea plantation in Falam township
January 21, 2009: Burmese military authorities have seized 100 acres of land for a tea plantation in Falam Township in Chin State in western Myanmar.
Mizoram-based BSWA held 4th Annual Meeting in Aizawl
January 22, 2009: Mizoram-based Burmese Social Welfare Association (BSWA), which used to help Burmese migrants workers, held its 4th annual meeting on January 19, in Aizawl city, Mizoram state.
Stop to guest reporting in Chin state
January 26, 2009: Reporting of guests is no longer required in Falam township, Chin state western Myanmar as of this year.
Army camp extorts money from vendors
January 26, 2009: The Burmese Army based in Teddim township, Chin state western Myanmar, has been collecting money from sellers going to sell their vegetables to Tiau village, on the Indo-Myanmar border.
Chin dies in Malaysia car crash
January 28, 2009: A migrant Chin Minhtun (42) died in a car crash on Kualalumpur highway, Malaysia on 25 in this month. He was from Tlang pang village, Matupi District, Chin State. He died at Kualalumpur General Hospital at 12 p.m.
Kyat 15,000 in lieu of forced labour for a year
January 28, 2009: Block chairmen are collecting Kyat 15,000 from block in ThanTlang town, Chin state for one year to free them from forced labour from 2009 January.
Transportation crisis for Hakha GTI students
January 29, 2009: Though the Government Technology Institute (GTI) was opened on December 15, 2008, the students are facing problems related to transportation as the location is far from Hakha city, Chin state.
USDA ready to contest 2010 general elections
January 31, 2009: The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) has selected their candidates in Hakha city, Chin state for the 2010 general elections of Burma announced by the military junta.
Junta rejects proposal to construct bridge
February 4, 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities in upper Myanmar, Kalemyo in Sagaing Division have rejected the proposal of constructing a bridge along Kale-Letpanchaung by a group of Christian churches on December 2008.
Forced labour declining in Chin State
January 5, 2009: Forced labour, mainly required for construction of army camps and using locals as porters, are on the decline in Chin state, in western Myanmar.
Junta recruits under age boys into army in Chin state
February 9, 2009: Under age boys are being recruited forcibly as soldiers in the Burmese Army in Chin state, western Myanmar.
Immigration issues identity card to Meitei insurgents
January 9, 2009: The immigration department in Tamu, Sagaing Division in upper Myanmar has issued identity cards to members of the Meitei insurgent group from Northeast India and demanded Kyat 7 lakhs per card.
Army commanders severely assaults class X student
February 12, 2009: A class X student of LaiLengpi village was beaten up so badly by the commander and second commander of LaiLenPi camp from the Matupi based Burmese Army battalion 304 that his ribs and hand were fractured. The student has been admitted to Matupi hospital, Chin state.
Fifty Burmese HIV positive in Mizoram
January 14, 2009: An official report relating to HIV positive registration in Mizoram reveals that 50 Burmese are infected with the disease.
Mizoram government welcomes Chin refugees
February 23, 2009: The Mizoram government in Northeast India, is ready to accept Chin refugees being persecuted by the Myanmar military regime, said Mr. Lalthanzara (MLA), Parliamentary Secretary of the Mizoram government yesterday on the 61st anniversary of the Chin National Day at Vanapa Hall, Aizawl Mizoram state, India.
26 houses burnt to ashes in Chin state
February 23, 2009: A total of 26 houses of Chin people were gutted in Chin state on 20 February 2009 in Chin state, Myanmar.
Army buys 24, 00,000 tins of rice from farmers
February 24, 2009: The Burmese military junta has purchased 14,00,000 tins of rice from farmers in Kalemyo and 10,50,000 tins of rice from Tamu Township in Sagaing Division, upper Myanmar.
Army seizes domestic animals for extortion
February 24, 2009: Burmese Army troops with the sanction of the authorities are seizing domestic animals like cows and bulls forcibly to extort money from owners as ransom in Chin state.
Cultivation allowed only after paying tax to Burmese Army
February 25, 2009: The Burmese Army authorities are not providing permission to clear forests and sow rice saplings without taking tax from the people in Chin state western Myanmar.
YMA to conduct foreigner census in Mizoram
February 26, 2009: The Young Mizo Association (YMA) will conduct a foreigner census in Mizoram state, especially for Burmese citizens, who are staying as refugees in Mizoram, a northeastern state of India.
Mizoram to deport Burmese into criminal activity: Home Minister
March 2, 2009: The Home Minister of Mizoram state, Mr. R. Lalzirliana said that Burmese people into criminal activity will be handed over to the Myanmar military junta.
Junta authorities collect extra tax from stevedores
March 3, 2009: The authorities of the Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) are collecting extra taxes from stevedores in Tiau village, Indo - Myanmar border trade no. 2.
Civilians forced to construct new school building
12 March 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities in Kalemyo, Sagaing Division have not only collected donation from civilians to construct a new school building, but also forced them to construct it.
Chin orphanages shut down in Burma
12 March 2009: The Burmese military regime has shut down at least 50 Chin orphanages in Rangoon, the former capital of Burma leading to problems for children.
Civilians disappointed with civic activities
March 13, 2009: The municipality in Hakha city, Chin state western Burma, has been constructing and extending city roads using drilling machines.
WFP to facilitate meeting for famine victims in Chin State
March 15, 2009: The Inter Agency Working Group (IAWG) for Chin famine victims will hold a meeting to discuss the Chin famine issue in Rangoon, the former capital of Burma, on March 27, 2009. The meeting would be held under the aegis of the World Food Program (WFP).
Government employees pay may increase
March 17, 2009: The Burmese military junta may soon increase the monthly salary of government employees, some regime employees said.
Authorities order shifting of Taungphila cemetery
March 18, 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities of Kalemyo, Sagaing Division, northwest Burma, have ordered shifting of the Taungphila grave yard before the onset of summer.
Traders face problems as exchange rate falls
19 March 2009: The Indo-Myanmar money exchange market has crashed affecting Burmese currency from January 2009. It has caused difficulties for most traders in the Indo-Myanmar border areas which have a market in Mizoram state, India.
Authorities in Kalemyo order farmers to grow summer rice
19 March 2009: The authorities of Kalemyo, in Sagaing Division, Burma, have ordered villagers to cultivate summer rice instead of vegetables, so that the farmers are now faced with the task of getting rid of all their vegetable plants.
Donation collected for football ground
20 March 2009: The Burmese Army military command of Paletwa, southern Chin state, Burma collected donations for a football ground in January 2009. Now they have ordered the people to construct the play ground.
Immigration orders new identity cards
21 March 2009: People in Paletwa town in southern Chin state have been ordered to apply for National Identity Cards as of early 2009 by the Immigration Department.
TPDC collects Union Day expenses from people
23 March 2009: The Paletwa Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) authorities are collecting money from the people to recover expenses incurred by participants of the Union Day ceremony in Nyipidaw, capital of Burma on February 12, 2009.
Four Burmese arrested in arms case in Mizoram
24 March 2009: The Mizoram police arrested a Burmese in possession of five rounds of ammunition on 21 March 2009 from Zemabawk, Aizawl city, Mizoram state, India.
Six houses gutted in Hakha City
30 March 2009: Six houses were gutted and reduced to ashes in a fire in Hakha city in Chin state, Burma, on March 26, 2009.
Chili cultivators in Chin state in dilemma over low exchange rate
31 March 2009: The market price of chilies has been declining steadily in Chin state, Burma and it has had a direct impact on the cultivators.
TPDC collects donations from Chin people
1 April 2009: The Town Peace and Development Council of Falam Township, has been collecting donations from civilians for their own group in Chin state, Burma.
Government employees face salary cut for water festival
6 April 2009: The Township Peace and Development Council of Falam Township, Chin state has cut salaries of government employees as contribution for the Burmese traditional festival ‘Thingyan’ also known as the water festival held from April 13 to 16 April every year.
Kalemyo USDA hits election campaign trail
8 April 2009: The Union Solidarity and Development Association of Kalemyo has been campaigning for the forthcoming general elections scheduled for 2010, from the end of March, in some villages of Kalemyo Township, Sagaing Division of northwestern Burma.
People use self stamp as currency
April 9, 2009: In Kalemyo, Sagaing division north western Burma, people are using their own paper which is self stamped instead of currency as Kyat 100, 200 currency notes have no value like Kyat 500 and 1000 do. People are facing problems while making purchases in the market.
Junta officials begin active election campaign in Chin state
15 April 2009: Junta officials are actively campaigning for the forthcoming 2010 general elections in Chin state, western Burma. They started campaigning from the last week of March 2009.
Teachers in Chin state threatened with deduction of salaries
15 April 2009: Teachers in Chin state, in western Burma have been threatened with deduction of a month’s salaries, if they do not attend a teachers’ short training, conducted by the authorities.
SPDC backs USDA candidates for forthcoming general elections
21 April, 2009: Candidates of the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA), in Chin State, Burma, are being backed financially as well as with manpower by the SPDC government, for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.
Chin Christian Church Group acquires license for alcohol
22 April 2009: The Hakha Khuahlun Baptist Church (HKBC) has acquired a license for locally made alcohol, for 2009, by paying Kyat 80,000, when the license was auctioned by the Hakha Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) in Chin State, Western Burma.
Kyat 4 lakhs in bribe to leave Burmese Army
28 April 2009: If a soldier wants to leave the Burmese Army he needs to grease the palms of the military commander of his battalion with at least Kyat 4 lakhs, sources in the army said.
Butchers face crisis for hike in meat prices
23 April 2009: Butchers in Chin state, western Burma are facing a crisis as the market price of domestic animal meat is increasing day by day, because animal skins are hiking the market price currently.
Authorities in Chin State demand Kyat 5 lakh for construction of houses
24 April, 2009: Authorities in Chin State, western Burma have demanded Kyat 5 lakh for constructing ordinary houses typical of the area, with wood and zinc sheets.
Chin people disappointed with policies of Central Command Commander
25 April, 2009: The people of Chin state, western Burma are disappointed with the visit of Divisional Officer General, Tin Ngwe, for the development of the border area on April 9, 2009.
UNDP supplies relief for famine victims in Chin State
April 29, 2009: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has supplied some rice to nine villages in Matupi Township, in southern Chin State, western Burma, as part of an ongoing process of relief for the famine, which has hit the area, post bamboo flowering.
Army taxes bull traders heavily
29 April 2009: The Burmese Army battalion No. 266 in Than Tlang town, Chin state has imposed heavy taxation on bull traders causing the price of beef to jump from Rs. 150 to 180 a kilogram in neighbouring Mizoram state in northeast India.
Government arranges public telephones for Chin state
April 29, 2009: The Burmese government has been arranging public land-line telephones for Matupi Town, the second capital of Chin State, in western Burma.
Civilians in Kalemyo to construct bridge worth Ks hundred lakh
April 30, 2009: Villagers in thirty villages of Sagaing Division in northwest Kalemyo, Burma, are constructing a Kale-Tamu link bridge, which would cross the Tuingo River. It is located about 13 miles away from Kalemyo. It would cost around Kyat one hundred lakh.
Two SPDC military police died and one seriously injured in a brawl
Two SPDC Military Police died and one seriously injured in a brawl with two civilians in Matupi town, Southern Chin State.
Two SPDC military police died and one seriously injured in a brawl
3 June 2005: Two SPDC Military Police died and one seriously injured in a brawl with two civilians in Matupi town, Southern Chin State.
Increased Kalay-Mandalay bus fares shock passengers
7 May 2009: Fares of buses plying on the highway have gone up. For instance bus fares in Kalaymyo, Sagaing division, western Burma and Mandalay city in central Burma has gone up to Kyat 10,000 per passenger from April.
Municipality increases tax on sale of bulls
7 May 2009: The municipality of Kalaymyo, Sagaing division, Burma has increased the tax on traders selling bulls so bull sellers cannot make a profit.
Military forces people to construct fence
8 May 2009: The Burmese Army battalion Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)No. 289 based in Simi village, Paletwa township, western Chin state, Burma, is forcing people to construct fences and it will fine Kyat 2000 if a person fails to work.
Indo-Myanmar border road blocked; traders suffer
11 May 2009: With the No-2 Indo-Myanmar border road blocked, traders and casual labourers are in a spot because their goods cannot be exported to Mizoram state in Northeast India.
Army will pay village chairmen’s salary
11 May 2009: Local Burmese Army battalions will pay the salaries of all village chairmen in each village of Paletwa township, western Chin state.
Christian civilians made to construct pagoda and monastery
12 May 2009: Christian civilians have been ordered to construct a pagoda and monastery by the Burmese Army in Chin state in western Burma.
Mizoram prohibits trade with Burma to prevent Swine Flu
May 12, 2009: In a bid to prevent the outbreak of Swine Flu within its territory, the Mizoram government has started restricting the import of pigs from Burma.
USDA candidates for 2010 elections announced in Chin state
14 May 2009: The military regime in Burma has officially announced the names of candidates of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) for the 2010 general elections in Chin state.
Chin state tactical commander campaigns for 2010 election
15 May 2009: In Chin state, western Burma several types of campaigns are afoot for the forthcoming 2010 general elections by the military junta backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and the Town Peace and Development Council (TPDC).
Government banks ask too many questions
15 May 2009: Customers who deposit or withdraw money from government banks are frustrated because of the many inquiries the bank workers make in Falam Township, Chin state, western Burma.
People die after consuming Chinese alcohol
15 May 2009: The number of people who have died after consuming Chinese alcohol seems to be on the rise in Chin state and Kalemyo, Sagaing division, western Burma.
Kaley-Tamu highway bus services flout norms
May 16, 2009: Passengers using the Kaley-Tamu highway bus services are facing a dilemma regarding no limits to passengers, fewer bus services and no traffic rules on the way. As a result ticket holders cannot sit comfortably in the buses, as they are constantly heckled by passengers, who do not have seats.
Police issue arms license for Kyat 30,000
18 May 2009: Police authorities in Falam township, Chin state, western Burma are illegally issuing armed licenses for ownership, transfer or change of name by taking Kyat 30000 as tax.
Workers remain unpaid despite sanction of huge funds
21 May, 2009: The Development of Border Areas Department has financed a road project worth Kyat 120 lakh, but the construction workers have not got any salary till date.
Military tries to recruit villagers for Burmese Army
21 May 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities of Kalemyo, Sagaing division in western Burma are trying to recruit 18 to 45 year-old men in Min Hla village from April 2009.
Prisoner’s daily wages for road repair siphoned off
22 May 2009: Officers in Falam police station, in Chin State, Burma have been siphoning of funds meant for wages of prisoners, who have been repairing the Falam to Sagaing Division Road.
Security beefed up in Kalemyo for Suu Kyi’s trial
22 May 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities in Kalemyo have put the police department, fire department, power department and the United Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) on high alert following the law suit on Aung San Suu Kyi.
Famine-hit Chin people in urgent need of relief
23 May, 2009: The phenomenon of bamboo flowering – a famine, which began in 2006 has been plaguing the Chin people year after year. Currently, they need relief measures in order to survive.
Authorities collect money for maintenance of fire department
26 May, 2009: The authorities of Kalemyo, Sagaing Division in western Burma have been collecting Kyat 30 lakh from the local people, for maintenance of the fire department in the event of an outbreak of fire.
Chin people pray for Suu Kyi’s freedom
27 May, 2009: People of Chin State in western Burma have been praying daily in churches, monasteries and other places of worship, for Aung San Suu Kyi’s freedom.
Church leaders, politicians request Chin people not to migrate
28 May, 2009: Church leaders and politicians in Chin state, western Burma, has requested the Chin people to stop migrating to third countries as refugees.
Junta replacing cross with pagoda and monastery
29 May 2009: The Burmese military junta is attempting to replace a cross which was built by a combination of different Christian congregations and was situated on the top of the Kimo mountain in Paletwa Township, Chin state.
Regime collects donation for MWAF head office
May 30, 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities of Tidim Town Peace and Development Council (TPDC) are collecting Kyat 350 from people 15 years and above as donation for the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF) in Tidim town, western Burma. The donation has to be given to the municipal office before the end of May.
Junta imparts military training to civilians
June 1, 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities in Chin state are imparting military training to villagers of Paletwa Township from the first week of May. This is in preparation for the ensuing 2010 general elections.
CNF urges US to have Suu Kyi released
June 2, 2009: The Chin National Front (CNF) has dispatched a seven-point statement to the US government on June 2, which includes the demand for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The CNF has been fighting the Burmese military junta for 20 years for democracy and a federal state in Burma.
Radio sales up for news of Suu Kyi’s trial
3 June 2009: Sales of radio sets have been going up in Kalemyo and Tamu Township, Sagaing division western Burma, with more and more people tuning into foreign radio program to listen to news about Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.
Burmese Army extorts money from vehicle owners
4 June 2009: The Burmese Army has been extorting money from vehicle owners in Falam town and other parts of the township including Tibil village. This has come in the way of villagers selling their chilies in Mizoram.
Military collects funds for pagoda by brewing alcohol
June 4, 2009: The Burmese Army is collecting funds for a pagoda being built in Lungler village, Than Tlang Township, Chin state western Burma by brewing and selling alcohol locally.
Junta confiscates private lands
June 5, 2009: The Burmese military junta authorities confiscated private lands in Kalemyo, Sagaing division western Burma in May this year.
Kalemyo authorities refuse Christians permission to construct churches
June 5, 2009: Christians in Kalemyo are disappointed and frustrated because they have been unable to get permission from the Burmese military junta authorities to construct churches.
Mizoram authorities block Indo-Myanmar border trade route no. 2
June 5, 2009: Authorities in Mizoram have blocked the Indo-Myanmar border trade route no. 2 again, after opening it for two days for passage of goods, which were stuck near the Burma border.
Police demand bribe to meet accused
6 June 2009: The Burmese police authorities in Kalemyo, Sagaing division demand Kyat 10,000 to allow relatives to meet the accused.
Junta extends military camps near Chin state border
9 June 2009; The Burmese military junta has been extending its military camps in Paletwa, in Chin State, Western Burma.
Fire in Tamu town house stored with explosives
9 June 2009: A fire broke out on June 7 In Tamu town, Sagaing division western Burma, at 6:30 am and gutted six houses at least one of which had explosives, arms and ammunition.
Students' parents frustrated over increase in school fees
9 June 2009: In this academic year the Burmese junta has doubled school fees leaving most parents of students frustrated in Falam township, Chin state western Burma.
People made to construct road without wages by USDA
10 June 2009: Chin people are being forced to construct a road in Kanpelet Township by the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in Kanpelet Town, Southern Chin State, in western Burma.
Burmese soldiers cross into India to seize bulls
11 June 2009: Burmese Army soldiers, based on the Indo-Myanmar border, crossed the Indian border to seize bulls being imported to Mizoram state in India.
Malaria threatens villagers in border area
12 June 2009: Most Chin people are suffering from Malaria in the Indo-Myanmar border area of Paletwa Township, Southern Chin State, western Burma.
Mizoram police arrest Burmese nationals
15 June 2009:The police have been arresting more and more Burmese nationals staying illegally in Mizoram state, northeast India.
