Zomi Revolutionary Army- Eastern Command (ZRA-EC) reportedly assassinated 38-year-olds Mr. Cin Sian Sum, leader of People’s Defense Force – Zoland at around 4 am on Sunday, December 5.
“Mr. Cin Sian Sum was summoned to ZRA-EC’s Base by Saya Pa Mang, leader of ZRA-EC via phone conversation. Having suffered from gout and due to bad weather, Mr. Cin Sian Sum had to refuse the invitation, and he was assassinated lately that night at his sister’s home,” said a spokesperson of PDF-Zoland.
Tension has escalated between ZRA-EC and local PDFs as ZRA-EC constantly targets and bullies the anti-coup armed resistance groups, including PDF-Zoland and PDF-Hualngo active in Tedim and Tonzang townships.
They have raided PDF-Zoland’s basecamps twice, first on May 22 and second on June 16, destroying basecamps near the India-Myanmar border, and torturing their members.
On 1 December, the unknown armed group detained Mr. Kim Tuang, a core member of ZRA-EC on his way from Taingen to Tedim in retaliation for the ZRA-EC’s continued acts of bullying against the local PDFs, including PDF-Zoland and PDF-Hualngo.
The assassination of Mr. Cin Sian Sum came a week after Mr. Kim Tuang, a core member of ZRA-EC was arrested by the unknown armed group on December 5.
PDF – Zoland has confirmed to The Chindwin that they are not associated with the arrest of Mr. Kim Tuang.
