ICA reports over 1,300 conflict-related deaths in Chin State over more than 5 years

Mizzima

A total of 1,344 people have died in connection with the conflict in Chin State over the five years following the 2021 military coup, according to a statement released by the Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA) on 16 September.

The ICA documented these deaths related to airstrikes, clashes, arrests, and killings in Chin State over a five-year and six-month period from 1 February 2021 to August 2026 under the title “A Study of Conflict-Related Deaths in Chin State.”

Of the 1,344 deceased, ICA’s study indicates 700 were revolutionary resistance fighters and 644 were civilians.

Among the 644 civilian deaths, airstrikes claimed the highest number of lives at 306. Additionally, 58 died from landmines, 40 were raped and killed after being arrested, 178 were killed arbitrarily, 17 died due to medicine shortages, and 45 died from other causes.

Regarding the deaths of the 700 revolutionary fighters, combat-related deaths were highest at 485, followed by 176 killed in airstrikes, 29 by landmines, 14 whose bodies could not be retrieved, 12 due to lack of medical treatment, and 11 who were burned to death, according to the ICA report.

The study categorizes conflict-related deaths by cause, age, and gender, with the aim of highlighting the humanitarian impact of the conflict, ICA said. However, ICA noted that since these records are based on available data, they may not fully represent the actual total number of casualties.

Salai Van Sui San, ICA’s information officer, told Mizzima that compared to when they first began documentation, it has become increasingly difficult to connect with people on the ground and gather data. “Our documentation is mainly based on reports from the ground and online media, which we thoroughly verify before recording. Recently, connecting with the ground and verifying facts has become harder. In some areas, communication has become difficult as the military junta’s troops have reoccupied positions,” he said.

He added that while incidents of death can be confirmed, there is a rising number of cases where real names and ages cannot be verified, due to declining trust among local people toward NGOs, the UN, and the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM).

The study also found that, in addition to the fatalities, junta airstrikes injured 1,226 people and destroyed 2,321 residential buildings, 108 government offices, and over 77 religious buildings.

Of those killed, 101 were under the age of 17, 575 were between 18 and 35, 168 were over 36, and 500 were of unknown age. Of the total, 1,160 were male and 184 were female.

ICA said the high male mortality rate is likely linked to direct participation in combat, but the conflict has also affected children and youth not of combat age, with women and children primarily losing their lives to airstrikes, arrest-killings, and other forms of violence.

Salai Van Sui San said ICA is continuously engaging with international organizations to pursue accountability for attacks on civilians. “We are carefully documenting these facts and striving to bring about effective actions. Although no effective action has been achieved yet, it is crucial for the public to cooperate with the ICA and send accurate information to make it happen,” he said.

ICA stressed the importance of protecting civilians, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, and facilitating independent, credible investigations into human rights violations during the conflict. Ongoing documentation and accountability for perpetrators remain a vital foundation for securing justice for victims and survivors, the report said.

The Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA) is a US-based non-profit organization providing educational services, humanitarian assistance, and research on Chin State.