April 16.
There have been no underage youths arrested for military service in Kanpetlet Township, southern Chin State. An official from the CDF – Kanpetlet group said that the news that the CDF – Kanpetlet has arrested 16 underage youths from the Athawadi village group in Kanpetlet Township No. 5 area is just the words of some opportunists.
The CDF – Kanpetlet’s Victoria Battalion (1) has responded to a statement by the Athawadi people dated April 14, which was circulated online, alleging that the CDF – Kanpetlet force forcibly abducted 16 underage youths, including 7 men and 9 women, from the Athawadi village group from March 28 to 30 without any reason.
A CDF – Kanpetlet official said, “We have recruited new comrades. We are not recruiting in the sense of not doing military service, but rather in the sense that we are in a time when every young person should attend compulsory basic military education. Since the beginning of the 2021 revolution, the CDF – Kanpetlet Battalion (1) has been in the Maungdaw group. The Maungdaw group has been more active than any other young person since the beginning, and there have been many who have died and lost their limbs while fighting for nationalism. Now, some opportunists are attacking us with words and actions.”
The Chin Brotherhood Group and its allies captured Mindat town on December 21, 2024. The next day, the military council members in Kanpetlet town near Mindat fled the town, and on December 22, the Chin Brotherhood Group, including the CDF – Kanpetlet, captured and controlled Kanpetlet township.