Aizawl: The two main Chin resistance groups — the Chinland Council (CC) and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) — met in Aizawl on Friday and agreed to form the Chin National Council (CNC) as a common front to oppose Myanmar’s military junta and work towards restoring democracy in Chin State.The roadmap for the formation of the CNC, prepared by the advocacy group for peace, constituted by Mizoram CM Lalduhoma and approved by the CC and ICNCC, says the council’s goal is to establish peace and realise the political aspirations of the Chin people in Myanmar.Both sides agreed to establish an administrative structure and set up the CNC with long-term political goals, while pursuing peace and dialogue at the local, regional and national levels. They also agreed to bridge old divides and promote healing and reconciliation at the community level.The formation of the CNC will involve two interlinked processes. The first will focus on trust-building, a cessation of hostilities and respect for administrative areas across organisations. The second will involve forming a joint committee of the groups, holding collective and separate meetings with the Advocacy Group, and drawing up plans and a roadmap for the effective establishment of the CNC and a lasting political solution.The two groups agreed to establish a steering committee comprising members of the CC and ICNCC, with the advocacy group facilitating its work. “The steering committee will be the apex decision-making body until the CNC is formally established,” the agreement said.The committee will prepare ground rules for maintaining peace and a cessation of hostilities. This will be prioritised to enable dialogue and build trust, according to the agreement.The agreement also provides for the delineation of administrative areas and respect for them across organisations, while promoting dialogue and a commitment to peace to resolve differences and prevent untoward incidents.The groups also agreed to constitute a joint ceasefire-monitoring committee comprising members of the advocacy group, CC and ICNCC. The meeting called for an immediate cessation of all forms of hostilities — physical and non-physical, armed and unarmed.Another key agreement was to form a constitution drafting committee for the CNC and establish a transitional committee comprising members of the CC and ICNCC, with the advocacy group serving as an observer.The Constitution will reflect the spirit of the Chin people’s struggle and aspirations for a long-term political solution, the agreement said. It also provides for meetings and consultations across Chin State and beyond to ensure a broad-based, participatory and inclusive Constitution.The nine-member CC delegation included senior leaders such as Salai Men Nyo, Jacob V Zawma and Thang Ning Kee. The 15-member ICNCC delegation included its chief, Thang Chawn Pe, former Chin State chief minister Salai Lian Luai and Steven Pa Bia.
