Two key pro-democracy rebel groups from Myanmar’s Chin state, the Chinland Council (CC) and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC), have recently agreed to merge. According to sources familiar with the matter, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma signed the agreement in Aizawl. The merger, which ended hostilities between the two factions fighting Myanmar’s military junta, was formalised on February 26. The two groups have now united under a single entity called the Chin National Council (CNC), as confirmed by rebel group members and officials from the Mizoram CM’s office. Mizoram legislator Lalmuanpuia Punte, who also serves as the chief minister’s political adviser, told Hindustan Times that the unification efforts of Chin armed groups were initiated at the request of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“Security threat on the Indian side of Mizoram looms if the political situation in Chin state is unstable, uniting factions of the Chin armed forces has been for long in our radar, unified, I believe the Chin resistance will reach new heights in deposing the military rule,” as per Punte.

Members of the armed wings of both groups, the Chin National Army (CNA) of CC and the Chin Brotherhood (CB) of ICNCC, also attended the merger event.

Jacob V Zawma, a steering committee member of CC and coordinator of the negotiating team, stated, “Having two separate governing bodies for the Chin people was counterproductive, so we agreed to merge.”

Currently, the armed wings of both groups are in discussions on strategies to form a “unified Chin resistance force” to safeguard the Chin state against Myanmar’s military regime. Zawma expressed confidence that uniting the armed groups would bring stability to the region and contribute to overthrowing military rule. He claimed that resistance forces had already taken control of over 80% of Chinland from the regime and hoped for full control with the unification of rebel forces.

The ICNCC was established in April 2021 following the military coup, formed by Chin resistance groups and elected parliament members. According to Zawma, the group is backed by the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG), which serves as an alternative governing body opposing Myanmar's military regime.

“Thirteen townships across the state, including the Myanmar-India border town of Rihkhawdar, are under Chin resistance control. We have established full administrative control over larger towns such as Tedim, Falam, and Thantlang. However, the state capital, Hakha, remains under the regime’s control,” he declared.

A member of the Aizawl-based Advocacy Group for Peace stated that the merger took place after the Mizoram Chief Minister, at the request of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), facilitated peace talks between Myanmar's rebel Chin factions. “Advocacy for Peace has conducted multiple rounds of negotiations with various Chin factions in Myanmar since last year, with the Mizoram Chief Minister closely monitoring the process. The Ministry of External Affairs viewed the unstable political situation in Chin State as a potential security threat to Mizoram, which shares a 510-kilometer border with Myanmar,” a group member said on condition of anonymity.

Since the military coup in Myanmar, Mizoram has provided shelter to over 30,000 refugees and pro-democracy activists, including ministers, MPs and police officers.