A brief Background History Of Chin National Day ( 62nd Chin National Day )

Message from Salai K'Cho Kee Le Awm

Today, the 20^th February 2010 is the 62^nd aniversary day of Chin National Day. Now a day, we can say easily that Chin Affair Council held a meeting on 9^th September 1950 and adopted Chin National Day, but the Chin National Day was borne out of the period long struggle of independence and democracy by Chin people which shall not to be forgotten.

Followings are the basic historical milestone dates regarding CND.

(1)  20^th February 1918 (1^st )

(2)  20^th February 1928 (2^nd )

(3)  20^th February 1938 (3^rd )

(4)  20^th February 1939 (4^th ) and

(5)  20^th February 1948 (5^th ) or last.

1^st Milestone of Feb: 20, 1918

•       The first Chin social organization of Chin National Education Upgrading Organization was formed at Maymyoh on that day.

•     President U Om Päng, Vice president U Vomthu Mong, Secretary U Retlong NgLing and such as Lushei, Asho, etc all the chin ethnics from north and south participated as members
•     In 1924, U Vomthu Mong resigned from British army and established a primary school at his native village Vomthu. He worked as headmaster of the school, beside that he began mobilizing people for political defiance.

2^nd Milestone of Feb: 20, 1928

•     The first Chin political organization of “Chin-tong Nyi-nyot-yei A-phoih” (Organization for Chin Hills Unity) was formed at Hlih-yung village, Mindat Township on that day.

•           President U Ha Htang Om, Vice president U Vomthu Mong, Secretary U Ware Law Ha with total 12 members.

•            After one year, U Ha Htang Om passed away and U Vomthu Mong became President.

•           In the conference which held on 24-25^th Mar: 1933 at Mthung-nu village and changed its name to “Chin A-myo-tha Nyi-nyot-yei A-phoih” (Chin National Organization for Unity) because British start using different names such as Chin-hills, Lushei-hills, Naga-hills etc accordance with its divide and rule policy.

•          Chin National Organization for Unity conference held on 29^th Sep: 1934 at Ware village, Mindat district and demanded 9 points to British government.

Those 9 points ultimatums were:

1. To provide the equal administration right to Chin-hills alike proper Burma.
2. To conduct Chin-hills administration law should be written by inclusive participation of Chin representatives.
3. To take responsibility of health, education and socio-economic sector developments for Chin-hills.
4. To review and reform Chin-hills’ education system (To allow Burmese language teaching also like English).
5. To provide religious freedom.
6. To construct road and ways for Chin-hills with immediate action.
7. To allow communication with proper Burma freely.
8. To respect Chins as equal national.
9. To provide independence to Chin-hills also at the same time as to proper Burma.

3^rd Milestone of Feb: 20, 1938

•          British government representatives met Chin people at Kanpetlet called “Tower” on that day.

•                 British government declared that nothing from 9 points will be accepted.

•          Meeting was converted to a open demonstration immediately and British government representatives were forced to vacate. They ran away to SAW, 18 miles away from Kanpetlet on the same night.

4^th Milestone of Feb: 20, 1939

•           British government made preparation for another one year.

•          Finally, on 20^th February 1939, British government in listed Chin National Organization for Unity as an illegal organization and arrested 9 leaders including U Vomthu Mong immediately.

•         By 21^st May 1940, total 79 leaders of COU were arrested in five different batches simultaneously as political prisoners.

•       Aung San, who became General later, expressed his admiration to Chin-hills’ independence struggle and leaders on 2^nd June 1940 at Zalon Daunkyee public meeting. For that reason, he was warranted 5 kyats warrant which caused him to fled out of country.

5^th Milestone of Feb 20, 1948

•           Burma got independence from British on 4^th Jan: 1948.

•         According to 47 constitution’s articles 196,197 and 198 of chapter 5, Chin Special Division, Chin Affair Council, Chin Affair Department and Chin Affair Minister came in to existence

•          U Vomthu Mong became the first Chin Affair Minister and his first planning was to lay down the administrative rule and regulation with consent to Chin people.

•           Peoples’ referendum was needed for local administration.

•          A Commission for Chin Hills Enquiry was formed and enquired people’s desire from 12^th to 26^th Feb: 1948.

•          Mean while, for the enquiry, people’s conference also was held at Falam from 19^th to 22^nd Feb: 1948 by him.

•       According to peoples’ desire and commission's report, the Chin Special Division’s administration system became democratic.

•          Out of other motions, the motion number 4 of “to remove the British appointed circle headmen to replace with peoples elected representatives” was agreed by peoples’ conference on that day 20^th Feb: 1948.

So, Chin Affair Council meeting chose 20^th February for Chin National Day with consensus. Chin National Day means national victory celebration day. It also represents terminating colonial rule. And re-attainment of independence and lying foundation of democracy rule for Chin people at large.

At present, our responsibility is to build a federal union with all our brothers of different nationalities. If we implement it, the dictatorship will be terminated automatically. So, what is essential is UNITY of all Chins at this crucial time, which is advice and reminded often and again by our forefathers.

Salai Kee Le Awm

Chairman

K’Cho Ethnic Council