2008 KNG News
Up one levelAll News that covered the year 2008.
Mizoram Chief Minister urged for democracy in Burma
January 18, 2008 - Mizo activists for democracy in Burma today urged Zoramthanga, Chief Minister of Mizoram state, northeast India to include the issue of democracy in Burma in the next bilateral talks between Burmese and Indian delegates to be held in April, 2008.
Burma Army's recruitment does not spare students
January 25, 2008 - Students are not being spared in the Burma Army's recruitment drive in several areas of northwestern Burma. The recruitment drive has been intensified of late.
RELA raids Chin refugee camps in Malaysia
January 25, 2008 - The RELA or People's volunteer corps today at 4 am stormed Tamansarah Chin refugee camp in Sengor district in Malaysia and arrested 46 Chins including six women and two children from Burma.
Bangladesh authorities postpone the trail of Chin missionary workers
January 26, 2008 - Bangladesh court had postponed the trail date of 14 detained Christian missionary workers from Chin state in Burma to February 6.
Low paddy production causes food crisis in rural Burma
January 28, 2008 - Attacks by rats have severely affected the production of paddy in rural areas of Chin state, Burma. People as a result are facing an acute shortage of food.
Burmese junta force villagers to pay for road construction
January 29, 2008 - The Burmese military junta authorities do not bat an eye lid when it comes to collecting money forcibly from the people.
Compulsive labour, human rights abuse force Chins to flee Burma
January 31, 2008 - Extensive use of force, compulsive labour and rampant abuse of human rights in military ruled Burma since 1988, have forced many ethnic Chins to flee to neighbouring countries in search of their livelihood.
CNF to reduce tax imposed in Chin state
February 4, 2008 - The Chin National Front (CNF), the Chin ethnic armed group fighting the Burmese military regime, has finally agreed to reduce the rate of tax collected from the people in Chin state. The decision was taken following the CNF's central committee meeting held from January 16 to February 2 on the Indo-Burma border.
Farmlands confiscated for tea plantation
February 5, 2008 - For the Burmese military junta confiscation of land of the people is a by word. The landowners seem to have no rights and all land is up for grabs by the military. Over 1000 acres of farmland on the hill side in Chin state, Burma has been seized for tea plantation.
Price of pig soars in western Burma, business thrives
February 6, 2008 - The price of pig in markets in Chin state in northwestern Burma has risen sharply since the first week of January this year.
Authorities collect money for last year's office expenditure
February 7, 2008 - Local authorities in Chin state, Burma collected money from people in order to recover last year's expenditure on state guests who visited Thangtlang. The funds were allegedly overspent.
Burmese police recruit under age youth in western Burma
February 9, 2008 - In the midst of the world body the United Nations accusing the Burmese military rulers of using child soldiers, comes reports of several youths including minors from Chin state and Arakan state, western Burma being recruited in the police force, a retired police officer said on condition of anonymity.
Local youth assault Chin asylum seeker in New Delhi
February 11, 2008 - Local youth on February 9 at night attacked and injured an asylum seeker from Chin state, Burma in New Delhi, capital of India.
Pro-democracy activists urge release of Burmese prisoners in India
February 12, 2008 - New Delhi based pro-democracy Burmese activists and organizations yesterday urged the Indian government to free detained Burmese freedom fighters in a demonstration in the capital of India. The protests marked the 10th anniversary of the detention of 34 Burmese freedom fighters and murder of six at Landfall Islands, Andaman on February 11, 1998.
Burmese ethnic groups call for boycott of regime's road map
February 13, 2008 - Burmese ethnic political groups yesterday urged people in Burma to protest against the Burmese junta's road map to democracy that is basically prolonging military rule.
American Baptist leaders to visit refugee camps on Thai border
February 13, 2008 - An American Baptist Church delegation arrived in Thailand on February 10 to meet ethnic Karen and Chin groups in camps Mae La and Umpiem on the Thai border.
Mizos concerned over influx of Burmese refugees
February 18, 2008 - The influx of Burmese into Mizoram, a northeastern state in India continues unabated. More and more refugees from Burma are likely to come into the state, because of political instability in military ruled Burma, according to the Young Mizo Association (YMA).
Local killed in Chin state, two suspected policemen arrested
February 19, 2008 - Hrangpuia (50) a businessman was murdered and robbed in Falam Township, Chin state in Burma on February 9 at night.
Burmese regime bans Chin historical day
February 20, 2008 - The Burmese military regime has ordered people in Chin state, Burma not to commemorate the Chin's historic day by the name of "Chin Nation Day".
Chins in exile reject Burmese regime's announcements
February 21, 2008 - Chins from political parties and organizations in exile called on its people to ignore the junta's recent announcements on the referendum over the constitution and elections.
Chin relief group to help drought victims in western Burma
February 27, 2008 - Unable to wait any longer for the international community to help, India based Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee have begun to take necessary steps to help the people from the famine called "Mautam" in Chin state, Burma.
Unidentified disease kills several Mithuns in Burma
February 29, 2008 - Several Mithuns were killed recently by a strange disease were sore throat was the symptom. The Mithun is a bovine species (Bos frontalis) found in Chin state, northwestern Burma.
Unequal distribution of water in Thangtlang, Chin state
March 3, 2008 - Locals in Thangtlang town in Chin state, Burma have been facing an acute shortage of water because the municipal authorities are distributing water to a handful people close to the regime with business backgrounds.
Drunken Burma Army soldier falls in pit dies on spot
March 4, 2008 - An inebriated Burmese Army soldier fell into a trench in a military camp and died on the spot in Chin state, Burma.
Burma Army soldiers attack CNA hideout, kill one cadre
March 4, 2008 - Burma Army soldiers killed a Chin National Army cadre in an attack on a CNA hideout near Hakha town, capital of Chin state, northwest Burma, last month.
Village heads to monitor polling booths
15 April 2008: The Burmese military junta has forcibly assigned village heads in Chin state, Burma to monitor polling booths for the referendum to approve the constitution to be held on May 10.
Starvation stares Chin people in the face
March 21, 2008 - Starvation stares Chin State in western Burma in the face, especially those depending on farming in the state. Not only people of Chin state but also Mizoram, in Northeast India face a similar situation.
Village heads to monitor polling booths
15 April 2008: The Burmese military junta has forcibly assigned village heads in Chin state, Burma to monitor polling booths for the referendum to approve the constitution to be held on May 10.
National ID card registration stopped till June
15 April 2008: Given the pressure and work schedule to prepare for the referendum to have the constitution approved, Burmese military junta authorities have recently stopped the process of national identity card registration for citizens.
National ID card registration stopped till June
15 April 2008: Given the pressure and work schedule to prepare for the referendum to have the constitution approved, Burmese military junta authorities have recently stopped the process of national identity card registration for citizens.
Gospel Baptist Church's Silver Jubilee postponed
April 17, 2008: The Burmese military regime is pressurizing the Gospel Baptist Church in Falam Town in Chin state, to celebrate the church's Silver Jubilee ahead of the referendum to approve the constitution.
Khonumthung Editor arrested by Indian authorities
18 April 2008: Mr. Myo Myint Aung, Editor of Khonumthung News Group was arrested by the Delhi police along with three Burmese journalists in exile yesterday.
Constitutional training for government employees
April 19, 2008: Local Burmese junta authorities have force clerks from all government departments and school teachers from Matupi town in Chin state, Burma to attend a training programme on the constitutional referendum held in the first week of April.
Detained Burmese reporters in exile released
April 19, 2007: Four Burmese reporters in exile detained near India gate during the Beijing Olympic torch relay in New Delhi, India were released on bail yesterday.
Thura Aung Ko campaigns for referendum in western Burma
April 21, 2008: Burma's Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-General Thura Aung Ko made an official trip to townships in southern Chin state, western Burma to campaign for the referendum to approve the constitution in the first week of April.
Thura Aung Ko campaigns for referendum in western Burma
April 21, 2008: Burma's Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-General Thura Aung Ko made an official trip to townships in southern Chin state, western Burma to campaign for the referendum to approve the constitution in the first week of April.
Thura Aung Ko campaigns for referendum in western Burma
April 21, 2008: Burma's Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-General Thura Aung Ko made an official trip to townships in southern Chin state, western Burma to campaign for the referendum to approve the constitution in the first week of April.
Chin people exhorted to vote against new charter
April 23, 2008: Burmese democracy leaders based in New Delhi, India have appealed to the people in Chin state, western Burma to cast the "No vote" rejecting the draft constitution. This appeal was made during a discussion on "No" vote against the SPDC's referendum held in the NCGUB (National Council of Government of Union of Burma) office in New Delhi yesterday.
Some allowed to vote in advance due to emergencies
April 28, 2008 - Some individuals in Chin state, Burma have already begun to exercise their franchise to approve the draft constitution in the referendum ahead of May 10, the officially scheduled date for voting across the country.
Burma Army stops forced labour and use as porters in Chin state
April 29. 2008 - The Burmese Army has suddenly stopped using forced labour and porters in Chin state, northwestern Burma in the run up to the referendum to approve the constitution to be held on May 10.
Nay Pyi Daw to include parts of Chin state into Sagaing division
May 3, 2008 - The Burmese military junta recently decided to add some part of Chin state as an integral part of Sagaing division.
Burmese junta mounts pressure on people to vote "yes"
May 5, 2008 - The Burmese junta authorities in Chin state have been exerting a lot of pressure on the people to vote in favour of the draft constitution in the referendum scheduled to be held on May 10.
Announcement
Release of Nation-wide Opinion Poll of Burmese Voters on the Burmese Referendum
CNF criticizes Burmese regime over fraud demarcation
May 7, 2008 - The Chin National Front, the Chin armed group, has lambasted the Burmese military junta over its plan to add some parts of Chin state into Sagaing division.
Burmese and Indian pro-democracy group protest in India
May 9, 2008 - Burmese and Indian pro-democracy groups today demonstrated in New Delhi, India, urging people in Burma to vote 'No' in the referendum to approve the constitution.
Voting on constitution begins in northwest Burma
May 10, 2008 - Voters began to queue up in front of polling stations across Chin state, Burma to cast their votes in the referendum to approve the constitution today.
Vote 'No' sweeps polling in parts of Chin state
May 12, 2008 - Voting results in the constitutional referendum held on May 10 reveal most people rejected the draft constitution in northern parts of Chin state, Burma.
Irregularities in constitutional referendum: CHRO
May 15, 2008 - The local authorities of the Burmese junta resorted to threats and intimidation of voters from some townships in northwest Burma during the referendum to approve the draft constitution held in Burma on May 10, according to Chin Human Rights Organization.
Mizoram police arrest deserter from Burma Army
May 16, 2008 - A deserter from the Burma Army was reportedly arrested by the Mizoram police from Lunglei police station, Mizoram state, northeast India.
Bangladesh releases 14 Chin missionary workers
May 17, 2008 - The Bangladesh authorities have finally set free 14 Christian missionary workers from Chin state, Burma after they were detained in jail for over five months.
Maltreatment in Burma concentration camp
May 17, 2008 - Prisoners in the 'Yazakyo' concentration camp near Kalay town in Sagaing division, northwestern Burma are being treated inhumanly by camp authorities.
Burmese junta lambasted for restriction on aid to cyclone survivors
May 17, 2008 - Angry pro-democracy activists from Burma held a protest rally in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar area demanding that the Burmese military junta immediately stop depriving cyclone victims of relief material and ease restrictions on both international aids ready to be shipped to Burma and entry of relief workers.
Chin National Council rejects junta's poll result
May 19, 2008 - The Chin National Council in exile has rejected the Burmese junta's announcement of the result of the referendum to approve the new constitution.
Junta threatens villagers who rejected constitution
May 21, 2008 - A vengeful Burmese military junta in Chin state has begun a witch hunt for people who rejected the draft constitution in the referendum on May 10. The local authorities have been threatening to take action against people in areas where the majority had voted 'No'.
Relief group to deliver aid for famine victims in northwest Burma
May 23, 2008 - A relief group known as Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee (CFERC) is planning to send rice bags worth Indian Rupee 140,000 (Burmese currency around Kyat 3,780,000) for victims of near famine like situation in Chin state, Burma where people urgently need help.
Junta begins extortion in Chin state again
May 27, 2008 - Burmese military authorities have gone on overdrive collecting money from people in 11 villages in Thangtlang Township in Chin state, Burma to renovate a military camp. The extortion is back after a brief lull in using forced labour, porters and collecting funds before the referendum.
Delay in payment delay upsets Burmese traders in Mizoram
May 29, 2008 - Burmese traders who supplied goods to markets in Mizoram state, northeast India from Burma are in dire straits because of delay in payments by local retailers in Mizoram.
Chin-Mizo singers to raise funds for famine victims in Burma
May 31, 2008 - Well known singers, from Burma and Mizoram state, northeast India will perform a series of music concerts in three Southeast Asian countries - Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore to raise funds for famine stricken people in Chin state, northwestern Burma.
Four 'vote No' campaigners detained in Chin state
May 31, 2008 - A vengeful Burmese military junta has detained four 'Vote No' campaigners in a military camp located in a remote area in southern Chin state, Burma in the aftermath of the referendum to approve the draft pro-military constitution.
Landlord arrested for attempting to rape minor Burmese girl
June 3, 2008 - A landlord, an Indian national, was arrested by the Mizoram police for attempting to rape a minor Burmese girl. The molestation attempt on the girl from Chin State in Burma was made at her work place in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state, northeast India yesterday.
Forced labour for 'No' voters; villagers build military outpost
June 4, 2008 - The Burmese military junta authorities have engaged villagers from remote areas in Chin state, Burma to construct a military outpost. Engaging the villagers as labour is the regime's way of harassing the people who rejected the draft constitution during the referendum held on May 10.
Pro-democracy activists protest outside Burmese embassy in India
June 6, 2008 - The Burmese embassy in New Delhi, India saw renewed agitations today when over 35 Burmese pro-democracy activists staged a demonstration outside the embassy calling for the immediate release of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
Burmese TV reporter briefly held by Indian police
June 6, 2008. - The Indian police today briefly detained a TV reporter of Mizzima News, a Burmese media in exile based in India during the protest by Burmese pro-democracy activists outside the Burmese embassy in New Delhi today.
More village heads questioned after referendum
June 16, 2008 - Burmese military junta authorities recently quizzed some village heads who had been appointed sub-commission members to monitor polling stations in remote areas in Chin state, Burma after the constitutional referendum held on May 10.
Two Chin teenaged girls raped in Burma: Rapists arrested
June 17, 2008 - In an incident which reveals the debased nature of some people in authority in Burma, a Burmese Army major and a lawyer allegedly raped two teenaged girls in Thangtlang town in Chin state, northwest Burma on June 8.
Peaceful march marks Aung San Suu Kyi's 63rd birthday
June 19, 2008 - Burmese pro-democracy activists led by the Women's League of Burma (WLB) today staged a peaceful march to mark the 63rd birthday of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in New Delhi, India. But the Indian police intercepted the march.
Rebel outfits drive villagers out from Chin state in Burma
June 19, 2008 - The Meitei rebel outfit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has moved villagers out of their native village in Chin state to another village in Burma.
Burmese refugee in Malaysia dies of depression
June 20, 2008 - A Burmese refugee in Malaysia died following depression after he heard that the UNHCR office in Kaula Lampur, capital of Malaysia, had rejected his application for family inclusion.
Villagers accused of helping kidnappers fined by Junta
June 20, 2008 - The military authorities in Chin state in Burma have accused villagers of helping unknown Chin language-speaking assailants, who had earlier in the month kidnapped two villagers.
Flow of Burmese goods into India suspended
June 28, 2008 - Trade activities on the Indo-Burma Border Trade Road No (2) have been brought to a standstill, since the transportation fee charged for goods passing into Mizoram state in north-east India from Burma via Chin state, has been raised.
Mizoram police arrests Burmese arms dealer
July 1, 2008 - The Mizoram police arrested a Burmese arms dealer on Saturday for alleged links with Northeast armed groups in India. Arms and ammunition were seized from him.
CAD to combat malaria in Chin state
July 3, 2008 - A Rangoon based Non-Government Organization; Country Agency for Rural Development (CAD) has pledged to begin another project to combat malaria in remote areas of Chin state, Burma in September this year.
Sale of motorcycles go up in northwestern Burma
July 9, 2008 - The sale of motorcycles has soared in Kalay Town, Sagaing division in Burma after the military junta announced granting of license to owners with unlicensed two wheelers.
Price of charcoal hiked in Chin state
July 10, 2008 - Increased taxation on coal has doubled the price of charcoal in the local market in Chin state in Burma from early this month.
Chin people forced to clean bushes in tea garden
July 11, 2008 - Thousands of civilians and government employees in Falam Town, northern Chin state in Burma, were forced to clean shrubs in tea gardens by local Burmese junta authorities.
Chin people forced to clean bushes in tea garden
July 11, 2008 - Thousands of civilians and government employees in Falam Town, northern Chin state in Burma, were forced to clean shrubs in tea gardens by local Burmese junta authorities.
Rats on the rampage in western Burma
July 16, 2008 - Rats multiplying after devouring bamboo flowers are attacking hillside farms and destroying crops in Chin state in western Burma.
The price of goods from Burma rise in northeast India
July 18, 2008 - The cost of Burmese goods selling in Mizoram state, northeast India is gradually spiraling, following a deadlock in trade activities on the Indo-Burma border trade No (2) road link from Mizoram state to central Burma through Chin state.
Oversea Chins (Zanniat) help Mautam victims in Falam Township
July 23, 2008 - The Chin community, particularly from the Zanniat clan settled overseas recently provided monetary assistance to victims of Mautam (famine from bamboo flowering) in Falam Township in Chin state, Burma.
Chin University students in Rangoon to publish magazine
July 24, 2008 - The ninth issue of a Chin Magazine for the academic year 2007-08 will be published on August. The effort comes from Chin students from universities in Rangoon, the former capital of Burma.
"We don't have authority to close Indo-Burma border trade road”: CNF
July 24, 2008 - The Chin National Front, a Chin rebel group today said that it had not issued any order to shut down the Indo-Burma border trade road No (2). It, however asked Burmese traders not to trade until there is a roll back in the hike on transportation fees in Mizoram state, northeast India.
Burmese junta turns blind eye to food crisis in Chin state: WLC
July 25, 2008 - The Burmese regime was lambasted today for its callousness in solving the current food crisis faced by the people of Chin state in Burma by the Women's League of Chinland, an umbrella group of different Chin women's organizations in exile.
Burmese Army soldiers slaughter livestock in famine hit areas
July 26, 2008 - A vengeful Burmese junta has been using Burmese Army soldiers to kill domestic animals in Darling village in Matupi Township, southern Chin state in areas that have been badly hit by food crisis. The slaughtering is a sort of revenge because the residents of the area did not vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum to approve the draft constitution.
Burmese Army soldiers slaughter livestock in famine hit areas
July 26, 2008 - A vengeful Burmese junta has been using Burmese Army soldiers to kill domestic animals in Darling village in Matupi Township, southern Chin state in areas that have been badly hit by food crisis. The slaughtering is a sort of revenge because the residents of the area did not vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum to approve the draft constitution.
Chin youth meet in Rangoon
July 31, 2008 - Around 20 youths from different Chin communities held a meeting in Lai Baptist Church in Rangoon, the former capital of Burma on July 29.
Burmese truck driver flees to India
August 1, 2008 - Chhan Than Mawi, a truck driver, along with his brother and sister fled to Mizoram state, northeast India from Kalay Town in Sagaing division in Burma to avoid arrest by the Burmese regime.
Burmese Army fines cattle owners in Chin state
August 4, 2008 - The Burmese military junta authorities have slapped fines on cow owners from some villages in Paletwa Township of Chin state in Burma last month without giving any notice.
Burmese migrant pushed from building dies in Mizoram
August 4, 2008 - A Burmese migrant worker who had been pushed down from a 50-feet high building by local men, died in Mizoram state, northeast India on Saturday.
Minor Burmese girl raped in Mizoram
August 4, 2008 - Ruata (30) from Manipur allegedly raped Mawi (12) from Burma in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state in northeast India on Friday. Mizo police arrested the accused.
CFERC faces shortage of funds for relief work
August 5, 2008 - The Chin Famine Emergency Relief Committee (CFERC), a relief group comprised of Chin social activists based in Mizoram state, northeast India, today said that they have no more funds left to continue relief work in helping victims of food crisis in Chin state, Burma.
Meeting on food crisis in Chin state to be held in Rangoon
August 5, 2008 - The first ever meeting to discuss the food crisis in Chin state in Burma is going to be held in the World Food Program (WFP) head-office in Rangoon, former capital of Burma on Wednesday.
Landslide disrupts road network in northwest Burma
August 6, 2008 - A massive landslide in early June in northern Chin state has brought transport services to a standstill in northwest Burma for about two months. The road condition is a little better after use of forced labour.
Severe food shortages in Chin state focus of WFP meeting
August 7, 2008 - The severe food crisis in Chin state of Burma was the focus of the meeting of international and domestic non government organizations held at the World Food Program's (WFP) head-office in Rangoon yesterday. All present agreed on the acuteness of the crisis and expressed fears about imminent famine in Chin state.
Burmese nationals arrested with opium in Mizoram
August 7, 2008 - The Mizoram drug eradication force yesterday arrested two Burmese nationals on charges of drug trafficking in Mizoram state, northeast India.
Bus mishap kills three and injures three
August 9, 2008 - Three passengers were killed while three others were seriously injured in a bus accident on August 4 between Tedim and Tonzang townships in northern Chin state, Burma.
Indo-Burma relations dominate conference on 8.8.88 in New Delhi
August 9, 2008 - India's cosy relation with Burma was highlighted by Indian scholars in a conference "20 years of People's struggle in Burma and Beyond" held in the Indian Social Institute (ISI) in New Delhi, India yesterday commemorating the people's uprising on August 8, 1988 in Burma.
Farmers in Kalay forced to provide paddy to Burmese Army
August 11, 2008 - The Burmese Army has begun to collect paddy forcibly from farmers as of early this month in Natchung village tract in Kalay Township, Sagaing Division in Burma. Needless to say there is no compensation.
Blood donation for Burmese in Mizoram
August 12, 2008 - A congregation of the Lai Christian Fellowship (LCF) today donated blood, for the Burmese in the civil hospital in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state in northeast India.
Rats devastate farms in Sagaing division
August 12, 2008 - Rats have started devouring crops in Sagaing division in Burma, heralding famine. Crops in farmlands in some villages in Tamu Township close to the Indo-Burma border are being devastated by rodents since early July.
Burmese officials overcharge travellers sans citizen ID cards
August 15, 2008 - Extortion is the name of the game in many parts of Burma and Chin State is no exception. Travellers without citizen identity cards are being overcharged by officials from police and immigration departments on duty at the 'Kyutongpin' check gate - eight miles from Kalay town in Sagaing Division, northwest Burma.
