Nabbed: How Chin Defense Force took two Indian youths captive

On September 1, 2024, two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, from Zokhawthar village in Mizoram, were abducted by the Chin Defense Force (CDF) in Myanmar. Their six-day ordeal, marked by beatings and intimidation, raises alarming questions about the safety of civilians along the India-Myanmar border.

An Innocent Outing Turns Tragic

The two boys, along with three friends, had crossed into Myanmar for a casual outing at Rih Dil Lake, a popular tourist destination near the border. They were riding a scooter when CDF forces stopped them. The boys were questioned about their origin, and upon revealing they were from Zokhawthar, the situation escalated quickly.

The father of the 16-year-old, Lalhruailiana recounting what his son told him, said, “They were questioned if they were from Chekkawn village, and when they said they were from Zokhawthar, the CDF soldiers said, ‘Oh, is it?’ and started beating them up even before they could get down from the scooter.”

The boys were accused of being involved in an assault on a Chin National Army (CDF) soldier, an accusation they denied. Despite their denials, they were violently beaten. “They were questioned if they were the ones who beat up a CDF soldier at gunpoint and were thrashed again,” the father added.

The Capture: A Brutal Interrogation

Following the initial assault, the boys were taken to a CDF camp about ten minutes from Rih Dil. One of the boys was led into the camp first and subjected to intense interrogation. “He was harassed and told that unless he admitted to being drunk and beating up a CDF soldier, he would be shot,” his father explained. Under pressure and fear, the boy admitted to the crime he didn’t commit.

Meanwhile, the second boy, worried about his friend’s safety, voluntarily went to the camp. He too was allegedly subjected to severe beatings. “He was kicked with the butt of a gun, and his nose started bleeding. He lost two teeth from the blows,” the father shared.

The brutality continued as a CDF leader arrived at the camp. “He beat my son around three to four times, and his ears started echoing,” the 16-year-old’s father recounted.

The physical abuse wasn’t limited to beatings. According to Lalhruailiana, the boys were subjected to the distressing experience of the CDF cadres firing a pistol twice, though it is unclear if it was aimed directly at them. “The younger boy was also threatened with having to dig his own grave if he didn’t admit to the alleged assault,” he said. 

The Parents’ Search: A Desperate Plea for Help

The father of the 16-year-old, who works as a farmer, was unaware of the situation until he received a call from the other boy’s mother. “I started questioning what they were doing there and why they went to the camp. I went there with the other boy’s parents. The boy said he admitted to beating up the CNA soldier because he was threatened to be shot at,” he explained.

When the father reached the camp, he couldn’t find his son. He was eventually led to a room where the Myanmar junta’s prisoners were kept. “My son was handcuffed in a room. He told me they had accused him of beating up a CNA soldier and explained how they had thrashed him. He had a fever and was in pain, but they had given him some medicine,” he said.

Despite their attempts to contact CNA officials, their efforts were in vain as the officials were occupied with other matters. However, they met with Hualngo police, who listened to their concerns. One police officer explained that a CNA soldier had indeed been beaten at a duty post, leading to suspicions.

The parents argued that their children could not have been involved in the alleged assault on the CNA soldier. “On the day of the incident, my son and his friends were working on the maize farm of my younger sister from early morning until 4-5 p.m., after which they returned home, had dinner, and stayed in,” the father noted. He also emphasized: “The other boy was at home during the hours mentioned, playing games, and was not involved in any altercations.”

The Role of the YMA and Village Council

Desperate to secure their sons’ release, the parents sought help from the Young Mizo Association (YMA) and the Village Council. On Tuesday evening, the boys were transferred to Liando Camp in Seik Village, Myanmar, causing the boys’ parents to fear for their safety. “The mother of the other boy broke down when she heard they were being moved,” the father recalled.

The YMA and Village Council took swift action, involving various local stakeholders. On Wednesday, sources said the CDF allegedly attempted to seize two more people, but thanks to the involvement of local NGOs, these individuals were released the same night. However, the fate of the two teenage boys remained uncertain.

The Zokhawthar police were also approached, but they advised the parents to resolve the situation through the NGO’s intervention first. Despite assurances that the boys would be released on Thursday night, they were only freed on the afternoon of September 6, 2024. The YMA and Village Council escorted them back to Zokhawthar.

The Aftermath: Lingering Trauma

Although the boys were finally released, the physical and emotional scars remain. The father of the 16-year-old expressed deep concern about his son’s mental health. “My son still lives in fear. When he sleeps, he has bad dreams. He told me that when he woke up, he dreamt he was still in handcuffs and was exhausted from the ordeal. He is also unable to eat properly due to his injuries,” he said.

A source close to the family of the 15-year-old described him as a “slow person” who struggles with processing information and has had difficulties in school. The family emphasized that there was no possibility he could have been involved in the alleged assault on the CDF soldier.

Larger Implications: Cross-Border Tensions and Civilian Safety

Zokhawthar village currently houses around 4,000 refugees, a result of ongoing conflicts in Myanmar. Local leaders acknowledge the delicate relationship between the Mizo community and Chin forces across the border. Zokhawthar Village Council President Lalmuanpuia explained, “There was some misunderstanding. They thought the youth was of a similar build to some others who had assaulted a CDF soldier. We must remember that we are under different laws and must respect their authority.”

He further mentioned that the boys were in the wrong place at the wrong time and had been a little drunk. He explained: “Given the presence of two revolutionary armies in the area, there was a suspicion that the boys might be involved in political activities, which is why they were detained.”

Ramtharnghaka, the YMA President, told EastMojo, “The tension has eased, but both sides must continue to work together. The CNA and our community make use of each other. We cannot afford to be in conflict.”

A member of the Refugee Relief Committee revealed that international intervention played a role in securing the boys’ release. “The CNA’s counterparts in the US intervened to secure the release of the boys. The US advisers issued directives, emphasizing the urgency due to their role as primary funders,” he said.

The Assam Rifles also released an official press release on the issue where they said, two teenage boys from Zokhawthar were abducted by CDF Hualngoram Cadres on September 1, 2024. They said, the boys, who were travelling to Rih Dil Lake, were stopped and beaten due to a prior dispute with local youths and that they were held initially in Rih Dil and later transferred to Liando Camp in Seik Village, Myanmar, where they endured severe torture, including head shaving, cigarette burns, and having a tooth extracted.

They added, “The abduction appears to have been an attempt by the CDF to assert authority and extend their influence in the border areas, including dominating Village Council Presidents (VCPs) and other local stakeholders. Currently, tax collection on goods in the region is being handled by CDF-Police under the protection of the Chin National Army (CNA).”

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